THE MOST HOLY NAME

Today we honor the great revealed mystery by name. We commemorate the memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Jesus came to redeem the world and save the world from sin. The world wants us to think that sin is not real and it doesn't exist. We are made to believe that everything is relative. Relativism is the concept of points of view having no absolute truth or validity, and have only relative, subjective values according to differences in perception and consideration. The term is often used to refer to the context of moral principle, where in a relativistic mode of thought, principles and ethics are regarded as applicable in only limited context. We have to realize that there is such a thing as intrinsic evil. We must not continue in our ignorance of sin. If we do, we might reach a point when satan laughs because he knows he has already grabbed us. It pays to take this advice from Ephesians 5:15-17, Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. As in Romans 6:12, Therefore, sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. Also in Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming (upon the disobedient). By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. Amen. Hallelujah!


Philippians 2:9-11

God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the day of salvation we do not know what tomorrow holds. It is wise to follow these words in 1 Peter 5:7-11 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen." Also in James 4:6-10 "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 8:10
O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!

Jesus talks about the necessity to repent. It's difficult for us to understand His preoccupation for the need for repentance unless we look at Jesus on the cross. We need to accept His supreme act of love on the cross. As in Luke 24:46-47 "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. To start this year 2011 right we need to repent and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation as in Luke 15:7, "I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." May this be a year of repentance because the name of Jesus means God saves. This simply means that we need saving. Thus we can draw inspiration from these words in Philippians 2:12-13, "... work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1849: Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as "an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)1865: Sin creates a proclivity to sin; it engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. This results in perverse inclinations which cloud conscience and corrupt the concrete judgment of good and evil. Thus sin tends to reproduce itself and reinforce itself, but it cannot destroy the moral sense at its root.