“...you shall name him Jesus.”
“At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission.” [1] “All liturgical prayers conclude with the words ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ The name of Jesus is at the heart of prayer. The Hail Mary reaches it’s highest point in ‘blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.’ The Eastern prayer of the heart, the Jesus Prayer, says, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ Many Christians, such as St. Joan of Arc, have died with the one word ‘Jesus’ on their lips.” [3]
What does “Jesus” mean? “Jesus means in Hebrew ‘God saves.’” [3]
Brian Regan jokingly talks about names. We know names are very important. We never like it when people don’t get our names right or if they misspell our name. The same goes with Jesus. His name mattered more than anyone else’s because he was the Son of God. He is God who saves us all.
Why name the Son of God, Jesus? The name expresses His identity; He is the Second person of the Holy Trinity, and His mission to save mankind from damnation. “Since God alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus His eternal Son made man, ‘will save His people from their sins.’” [4]“The name ‘Jesus’ signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son, made man for the universal and definitive redemption from sins. It is the divine name that alone brings salvation, and henceforth all can invoke his name, for Jesus united himself to all men through his Incarnation so, ‘there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’” [5]
Why do we give honor to the name of Jesus? “We have given honor to the name of Jesus, not to the actual name or in its lettering, but because the name of Jesus reminds us of all the blessings we receive through our Holy Redeemer.” [6] We learn later through the life of Jesus that at the calling of his name, there is real and meaningful power. In today’s Gospel, we learn that his name will be powerful in that His Kingdom will reign forever and ever. Have you ever seen people bow their head when the name of Jesus is said at Mass or Liturgy of the Hours? “The custom of bowing the head at the mention of His Name was formally written into law at the Second Council of Lyons, A.D. 1274, convened by Pope Gregory X: ‘Those who assemble in church should extol with an act of special reverence that Name which is above every Name, than which no other under Heaven has been given to people, in which believers must be saved, the Name, that is, of Jesus Christ, Who will save His people from their sins. Each should fulfill in himself that which is written for all, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.’" [7]
What does “Son of the Most High”? In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is identifying with this title. It is also a parallel to St. John the Baptist who is described as “prophet of the Most High.” [8]
Can anyone else be named Jesus? It is okay to name your child Jesus. This cultural tradition is seen mostly in Central and South America. In other countries and nationalities, we see many cultural names used. For example, in Italy men Antonio and Mario are common names, Antonio after St. Anthony and Mario after the Blessed Virgin Mary. Naming a child after a holy figure can help parents shape their child through proper teaching of the Faith. Being named after a Saint can help a child make a connect to a patron Saint and kindle in them a love for and imitation of their patron Saint.
Why is David called the father of Christ? “Mary descended from the house of David, and therefore, David according to nature was the forefather of Christ.” [9] This genealogy can be read in the Gospels of Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Both Mary and Joseph had family ties to the house of David.
Who was Christ’s father? “To answer this properly, we must observe that in Christ there are two natures, the divine and the human. According to His human nature He had indeed a mother, but not father, for Joseph was only His foster-father; according to His divine nature He had no mother, but only a father, the Heavenly Father.” [10]
What is meant by the throne of David? “The kingdom of Christ, of which David’s government was a representation (Psalm 131).” [11] In the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, Mary is called the “Tower of David” because she is in the line of David. She is also called the “Seat of Wisdom”, because Christ the King would sit within her womb. She is the “House of Gold” because the most precious thing, God Himself would make Mary His house. It is good to take a look at the titles of Mary, especially in the Litany and discover what they say about the person and mission of Mary.
Why was it important that the Messiah come from David? In the Psalms, David writes of this promise, “The Lord swore to David a firm promise from which he will not with draw: ‘Your own offspring I will set upon your throne; If your sons keep my covenant and the decrees which I shall teach them, Their sons, too, forever shall sit upon your throne.’ For the Lord has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling.” (Psalm 132) This prophecy is fulfilled in the announcement of Gabriel, “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32) Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David. This prophecy comes true and Saint John in the book of Revelation is given a vision of the fulfillment of the prophecy. “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from ever nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb! And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)
We on earth join in this praise at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass when we sing the Gloria, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, and we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.” [12] We also sing this praise and honor at the Sanctus during the Eucharistic Prayer, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” [13]
[1] CCC 430
[2] CCC 435
[3] CCC 430
[4] CCC 430
[5] CCC 432
[6] http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07421a.htm
[7] http://www.fisheaters.com/posture.html#1
[8] Endnotes NAB Luke 1:32
[9] Fr. Leonard Goffine’s; The Church’s Year pg. 582
[10] Fr. Leonard Goffine’s; The Church’s Year pg. 582-583
[11] Fr. Leonard Goffine’s; The Church’s Year pg. 582
[12] The Order of the Mass I
[13] Ibid