Monday after Epiphany

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Saints: Saint Munchin (7th century); Saint Genevieve (c420-c.510); Saint Kuriakose Chavara (1805-1871); Blessed Stephana Quinzani OP (1457-1530)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 14-20

Mass: 1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Resp Ps 2; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25

Rejoice before the Lord.

JESUS, INFINITE GOODNESS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

In these days after Epiphany as we move forward to the Baptism of the Lord, we are gifted with the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. And as you will see, we have plenty of heavy hitter saints to commemorate and celebrate this week, including the first American born saint. For today, though, Saint John, in his First Letter, tells us to keep God's commandments and do what pleases the Lord. And what is the Lord's commandment? Saint John tells us: "We should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as He commanded us" (1 Jn 3:23). As we begin a new week, and after several days of celebration, it just may be that we are presented with a situation where we have to "test the spirits to see whether they belong to God" (1 Jn 4:1). Look to the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus and find a favorite invocation, or title for Jesus. Keep it handy and call on the Name of the Lord who made heaven and earth (Ps 124:8). At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bend of those in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God that Father (Ph 2:10-11). 

The following quotation from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux bears repeating every year on this date. It comes from Saint Bernard's On the Song of Songs, Sermon 15, III-IV, 6-7.

Talk or argue about what you will, I shall not relish it if you exclude the name of Jesus. Jesus to me is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, a song in the heart. 

Again, it is medicine ...

Hidden as in a vase, in this name of Jesus, you, my soul, possess a salutary remedy against which no spiritual illness will be proof. Carry it always close to your heart, always in your hand, and so ensure that all your affections, all your actions, are directed to Jesus.

SAINT MUNCHIN,

SAINT GENEVIEVE,

SAINT KURIAKOSE CHAVARA,

BLESSED STEPHANA QUINZANI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Sweet Teddy is back. He and his first ever snowman have been patiently waiting to wish us a Happy New Year. Thank you, Teddy and Frosty. ⛄

© Gertrude Feick 2022