Opera Omnia

4. THE NAME OF JESUS

Rome, January 2, 1947

Today, January 2, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Following the reform of the liturgical calendar, this feast is now celebrated on Sunday within the octave of the Circumcision.¹
The name Jesus Christ was found quite frequently in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, however, out of respect for Jesus, this name was not given anymore to others. Later on, Jesus' name and its diminutives came into use, like Jesuino, Jesualda, etc.

The name Jesus Christ was found quite frequently in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, however, out of respect for Jesus, this name was not given anymore to others. Later on, Jesus' name and its diminutives came into use, like Jesuino, Jesualda, etc.
Jesus, a name that spells salvation. «Once, when Peter and John were going up to the temple for prayer at the three o'clock hour, a man crippled from birth was being carried in. They would bring him every day and put him at the temple gate called the Beautiful to beg from the people as they entered. When he saw Peter and John on their way in, he begged them for alms. Peter fixed his gaze on the man, so did John. Look at us! Peter said. The cripple gave them his whole attention, hoping to get some-thing. Then Peter said: I have neither silver or gold, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk! Then Peter took him by the right hand and pulled him up. Immediately the beggar's feet and ankles became strong; he jumped up, stood for a moment, then began to walk around. He went into the temple with them - walking, jumping about and praising God. When the people saw him moving and giving praise to God, they recognized him as that beggar who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were struck with astonishment - utterly stupe-fied at what had happened to him. When Peter saw this, he addressed the people as follows: Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if we had make this man walk by some power or holiness of our own? The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus.... »¹

All salvation is in the name of Jesus. Non est in alio aliquo [salus]¹ (There is no salvation in anyone else at all). Why do we work out our salvation? Why do we hope for heaven? Per Christum Dominum nostrum.² Why the state of grace, the sacraments, the Mass, Communion, the Visit, every other grace? Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Through Jesus Christ, we hope one day to enjoy the beatific vision with the angels and saints.

Jesus, a name that spells power. Jesus was obedient usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltavitillum, et dedit illi nomen quod est super omne nomen ¹(even unto death, death on a cross. Because of this, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name above every other name). At the name of Jesus those who are in hell tremble, devils flee,² those who are in heaven bow down in adoration. In this world, whoever venerates Jesus' name is saved or who despises it, is assured of not only temporal ruin but eternal ruin as well.

Jesus is the Bridegroom of souls. What are you searching for in this world? Nothing that is outside of our God who is our All. This is the better part.¹ Blessed religious life that leads on to this intimacy with Jesus.
To walk the path of the Lord and to proceed in his ways means to advance in the way of love, in the way of a more deep-seated love. Make use of some books of deeper and more solid doctrine but be guided by those who know the state of your inner life. May you achieve this profound intimacy with Jesus before you close your eyes in death. There are those among you who feel this attraction of the teaching of love, who are aiming at this intimacy with God. Press on, press on, as much as you can. Undoubtedly, the Lord has chosen some of those among you and he has called them to a particular holiness.
Is eternity not love? To make strides in love means to prepare oneself for death and to love with Christ.

I could suggest that you read the writings of St. John of the Cross¹, Contardo Ferrini², St. Therese³, St. Gemma Galgani⁴, Blessed Maria Teresa Soubiran⁵, St. Teresa of Avila.⁶
This would be a good thing. But above all, I insist that you love Jesus in the way Mary loves him; love him, praise him, supplicate him, make reparation - all of this with Mary. The role of the (P) Disciple has much similarity with that of Mary.

Jesus, a name that spells sweetness. How sweet is the name of Jesus! It spells sweetness in life and sweetness at the point of death for whoever invokes it in total trust!
How good it is to pronounce the name Jesus together with Mary! Mary would have so often repeated this name, called this name - Jesus! , and with what joy in her heart! What about you? From Mary, with Mary, in Mary, through Mary.¹

1. There are many blasphemies hurled against the Name of Jesus. Resolve to make reparation through beautiful Masses, with Communion and recitation of ejaculatory prayers.

2. Advance in the spirit of union with Jesus. To make headway however, you have to be very silent and recollected because Jesus speaks when he finds us in silence.

3. Always ask the Lord for the graces that are in the mindof Primo Maestro. You already do this, but continue to do so. Cogito cogitationes pacis et non adflictionis¹ (I know the plans I have in mind for you - plans for peace, not disaster). My thoughts are of peace, goodness, light; I desire your own good; I ask graces that will bring you consolations at the hour of death and then, Paradise.