I have added some new books to Catholic Reading. They are: The Christian Trumpet, Return of the King, Course in Religion, Manual of Christian Doctrine and some volumes of the Catholic Library - Moral and Dogmatic series. You can find them here.
 THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS
"I will rejoice in the Lord, and I will joy in God my Jesus." HEB. 3, 18. Jesus Christ is marvelous, glorious and adorable, as our Redeemer, High Priest and King. And just as marvelous, glorious and adorable as Jesus is as our Redeemer, High Priest and King, so also must His Name be marvelous, glorious and adorable. What are all the celebrated names of men in comparison with this one name Jesus! With admiration the world of today pronounces the names of great conquerors and princes, and calls to mind their glorious deeds. With pride distinguished families call themselves after the names of great heroes, statesmen, and scientists, whose renown and honor belong to them. With reverence we Christians pronounce the names of the saints who filled the world with the glory of their virtues and their life, who are the honor of God and the glory of the Church; and thus amongst every nation the names of their heroes continue to live. The higher and the grander the calling was to which God has chosen individual men for the salvation of nations and the world, the more glorious are their names. God Himself gave to them their names. He gave to Abraham and John the Baptist their names, and Our Divine Saviour Himself changed the name of the Apostle Simon into Peter on account of his living and firm faith, and called him the rock on which He would build His Church. Still more glorious, sweeter and more marvelous is the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which embraces within itself a fullness of mysteries, graces and beauties, and fills the whole world with reverence, love and hope, lives on every tongue and in every heart, and disseminates peace and joy. And yet, my beloved, what are all the glorious names of men, of the saints and even of the Blessed Virgin Mary in comparison with the one name Jesus which reveals the whole fullness of divine mercy, redemption and grace, and makes known to us the Divine Saviour in all His adorable greatness? Of this great name the Apostle St. Peter says: "Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4, 12). This is the Name that is above every name, in which, according to the Apostle St. Paul, every knee must bow, in Heaven, on earth and under the earth, and every tongue must confess that our Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. I will therefore, speak today for our edification on the meaning and power of the name Jesus. O Jesus, assist us with Thy grace ! 1. No man, no prophet, no saint, not even Joseph and Mary could give to the Divine Child a suitable name, which would truly correspond to His future name and glory. God alone could give this glorious Name and hence Joseph was commanded through the angel: "Thou shalt call His name Jesus" (Matt, 1, 21 ). In fact, this Name is the sum, or the epitome, of all the glories and perfections which are found in Jesus Christ. It reveals all perfections which are proper to Jesus as God, and all the graces and virtues which Jesus united in Himself as man. It unveils before us all the works which Jesus as God and as man accomplished for us men. If, therefore, the Redeemer is and means Jesus, He is infinitely wise, good, omnipotent, just, holy and merciful, as God is eternal Goodness, Wisdom, Omnipotence, Justice, Sanctity and Mercy. These divine perfections Jesus shows also towards us. Therefore the Apostle St. Paul says: "But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and justice, and sanctification and redemptio (1 Cor. 1, 30). But if we consider the Redeemer as man, the name Jesus tells us everything, that He became for us as man, therefore an example of all virtues, marvelously humble, patient, meek, amiable and obedient. As man Jesus is truly become for us an Example and Exemplar, as He Himself says : "For I have given you an example that as I have done to you, so do you also" (John 13, 15). O how touching was His life from the crib to the Cross ! How winning His childlike obedience, His zeal in prayer, His love of His enemies, His meekness and His silence! What was more dignified and admirable than His intercourse with the Apostles, with sinners, with children, with the people, even with His enemies ! In the mirror of His peace and of His love, into His eye, even His enemies gladly looked ; and no matter what sufferings overtook Him, even in suffering and pain, in life and in death, He is a most admirable example for all who suffer, are in sorrow, or struggling in the agony of death. Therefore the Apostle St. John exclaims : "Of His fullness we have all received," from the fullness of His example and His virtues. He has truly become a mirror for all men in which all can behold themselves and the Exemplar Jesus, and recognize themselves as they really are in Him. If the Redeemer is as God and as man Jesus, then is He truly, according to the meaning of the name, our Master, Teacher, Shepherd, Physician, Father, Judge and Mediator, so that we find everything in Jesus, and can with truth often repeat: "O Jesus, my all." If we are sick, He is our Health; if we are hungry and thirsty, He is our Food and Drink for eternal life; if we are poor, He is our Riches ; if we are weak, He is our Strength; if ignorant, He is our Teacher and our Wisdom; if sinners, He is our Justice, Sanctification and Redemption. Jesus, our All. 2. The name Jesus therefore embraces within itself all the glorious names which the prophets gave to the Messias centuries before His coming. Isaias foretold : "And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the World to come, the Prince of Peace" (Is. 9, 6). How truly and gloriously do these designations and qualities correspond to the name Jesus ! If He were not God, He could not have redeemed us; if He were not a mighty Hero, He could not have overcome Satan, nor have born His bitter Passion; and if He were not our Counsellor He could not have given to us His heavenly teaching and His commandments. Everything in Him is marvelous, His Incarnation, His Life, His Death, His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. He is the Father of the past ages, since all men from Adam on hoped in Him; He is the Lord of the present, since He rules everything; He is the Lord of the future and of eternity, since He pronounces judgment; and eternal bliss or eternal pain are decreed to men according as they have loved Him or have hated Him. For this reason the Apostle St. Peter says to the Jews : "Neither is there salvation in any other name, for there is no other name under heaven given to man whereby we may be saved," or as the Apostle St. Paul in his glorification of the Saviour of the world testifies : "God hath given him a name which is above all names ; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth : and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus is in the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2, 9,11). For this reason, centuries before the events, the prophet Habacuc rejoiced at the coming of the Blessed Saviour, and at all His glory : "I will rejoice in the Lord, and joy in God my Jesus!" He, the prophet, reviews in his mind all the promises of God, all that the former prophets and patriarchs had foretold, all the longing of the just, and the expectation of the nations. Therefore he cannot restrain his feelings, and He rejoices in God his Jesus. And with him rejoices the whole ancient world; with him rejoices Limbo where the souls of the just waited with indescribable longing, until Jesus should have come down to them as their glorious Redeemer. And yet, what is the joyful cry of the prophet Habacuc, what is the longing of the ancient world, in comparison to the joy of the Blessed Virgin, and with her the whole Christian world over Him whom they should call Jesus? "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," in my Jesus ! She alone, the Blessed Virgin, was at that time able to grasp the immeasurable greatness, glory and sanctity of Him whom the angel bade her to call Jesus. And in fact, my beloved, the whole Christian world shares in her joy, and joins in her praise of God the Saviour. Millions and millions of Christian souls feel themselves most fortunate, consoled and strengthened in every position of life, in joy and in sorrow, in life and in death, at the thought of Jesus. This Name is a Name which is above every name, which the Apostle declares that no one can with advantage, grace, salvation and blessing for time and eternity so much as pronounce, except by the Holy Ghost. 3. And, truly, the name Jesus has a remarkable power and efficacy. In it is united all the brilliancy and blessing of Christianity; in it all graces, all merits, all virtues, all prayers, all sacrifices; in it are faith, hope and charity, peace, joy and justice, temporal and eternal weal. Jesus is the admiration of Heaven, the gratitude of earth, the terror of Hell. Jesus is music to the ear, honey to the mouth, joy to the heart. Jesus, Saviour, Redeemer, High Priest and King; Jesus, Teacher and Exemplar, Physician and Shepherd, Food and Drink, Jesus the true Life on earth, true Bliss in Heaven ! Who can count all the souls that have been redeemed through Jesus and made happy? Who can number all the sinners who have found forgiveness for their sins in the name of Jesus? Who could count all the sorrowful and the sick who have been consoled by the Name of Jesus, who all the poor and the miserable who have found help in the Name of Jesus? Who could count the numberless sighs, tears and prayers that have gone from earth up to the throne of God, and found a hearing on account of Jesus? Yes, even the prattle of innocent children, when they fold their hands for the first time and recite the Our Father, becomes precious in the sight of God on account of Jesus. Who can recount all the glorious, magnificent works of Christian mercy, the deep love of God and neighbor, such as the world never witnessed before the Christian era? The Name of Jesus called them into existence. Yes, as the sun in the morning and evening glorifies everything and floods all things with charming beauty, forest and field, hill and dale, pasture and meadow, so, too, the Name of Jesus glorifies, beautifies and ennobles all life, all virtue, all time, Heaven and earth. May we also, my beloved, give honor to Jesus by our Christian life, by observance of His commandments, by gratitude and joy. May we also join in the song of praise of the prophet, or in the joy of the Blessed Virgin, at the very thought of such a glorious Redeemer. Therefore when you speak the Name of Jesus speak it not in scorn by misuse or contempt, by sin or unchristian life. Just as the Name of Jesus was spoken for the first time on earth by the pure lips of the Archangel Gabriel, and at its first utterance was destined only for the ear of the purest of virgins, Mary, in precisely the same manner should we with pure mouth and pure heart utter this Most Holy Name, that it may become for us salvation and blessing, grace and redemption. "Jesus my Love," was the favorite utterance of the holy bishop Ignatius. And he repeated it in his sufferings, and when the pagans threatened to behead him if he uttered it again, he said : "In that event you would find engraven on my heart the words : Jesus my Love. May Jesus be also our Love. May Jesus rise with us, accompany us to our work, to prayer, to devotions; Jesus in life and in death, Jesus praised and blessed forever. Amen Source: The Beauty and Truth of the Catholic Church, Volume IV, Imprimatur 1916  THE EPIPHANY
Gospel. Matt. II. 1-12. When Jesus, therefore, was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are cometo adore him. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him: and assembling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him, in Bethlehem of Juda: for so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them: and sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child: and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him. Who having heard the king, went their way: and behold, the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country." One day, nearly two thousand years ago, a miraculous star of astonishing brightness appeared in the East. Three pious wise men of the East, kings we are told, since known as the Magi, saw it, and, inspired by heaven, they at once knew that the birth of the long-promised King of the Jews had come to pass, and that they were called upon to adore Him. This star appeared through the infinite goodness of the Messias. Not only did He want the homage of poor shepherds, but He also wanted that of the great and the learned ones of this world. He wished to make known His humble birth to all classes of men, and though He was born in an obscure town, in a stable among the meanest surroundings. He wished that all men should recognize Him as the Messias. On this day, the Epiphany of Our Lord, we should rejoice with a new joy because He made known His birth to all the world. This was the first time that the Gentiles were called, the class to which we belong, for we are not Jews nor descendants of Jews, but descendants of pagans. Let me tell you in a few words how the Magi left their own country and set out to find the Child Jesus; and how we too should go forth in search of this divine Infant, and like the Magi, make Him a fitting offering. The Magi saw the star, knew its meaning and started on their journey without any delay. They abandoned their kingdoms and all their earthly interests and gave themselves up to the guidance of the star. There is a great lesson in this, my dear young friends; remember that it is necessary to respond to the divine call without delay; you must not say I will do it at some future time; I will go to confession soon; I will repent after a while. You must say I will repent now, I will confess my sins now and make my peace with God. Woe to the man that does not obey the divine will at once, but continues obdurate in his sins. When the Magi, after a long journey, arrived in Jerusalem they made the inquiry, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we .have seen His star in the East and are come to adore Him." There reigned at that time in that country King Herod, called the great, not for his magnificent works, but for his vices and enormous crimes. He had heard of the arrival of these men, and their errand, and he was greatly disturbed by it. Are there, he asked, other kings in Judea, am I not the only king of the Jews? Then he called the Scribes and wise men of the law together, and asked them which place the prophets had designated as the birthplace of the Messias. They pointed to the text of the Prophet Micheas, "And thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be the Ruler in Israel." These words struck terror into Herod's heart, but he concealed his fears, and having called the Magi to the palace, he asked them the time of the star's appearance; he then told them that the new King was to be born in Bethlehem; that they should go there, and search for Him, and when they had found Him, to return to him (Herod) so that he also could go and adore Him. What a hypocrite Herod was! He had resolved in his heart to murder that Child, but before the Magi he puts on the appearance of humility, piety and devotion, in order to succeed the better in his dark designs. The murder of the innocents clearly showed what would have been the fate of the new-born King had He fallen into Herod's hands. This divine Child, Herod, has many ways of guarding Himself against thy blood thirsty plans, and even though He escape your cruelty the chastisement of heaven will fall upon you; so great will be your pains that in your anguish you will seek relief in suicide, and when this life is over, hell will be your eternal habitation! My dear young friends, are there any Herods among you, who outwardly profess piety and devotion, but inwardly are resolved on the spiritual destruction of the innocent? Those who sully their tongues with vile language and then, unrepentant and uncorrected, receive the immaculate Lamb on that same tongue? Ah! if there be such here, let the fate of the impious Herod be a warning to them; for God's vengeance will not fail to follow them. After the Magi had heard Herod's announcement, they went on toward Bethlehem, and raising their eyes to heaven saw there the guiding star, which beckoned them to follow. They were filled with inexpressible joy at this favor of God, and started once more on their journey. The joy of the Magi was great because now they knew they were on the right road. If you have trodden the way of vice and sin and have wandered far from God, you will never feel true peace and happiness. As Isaias says, "There is no peace to the wicked." The Magi journeyed on with a light step until they reached the city of Bethlehem, and going through the winding streets, the star stood over a poor hut, as if to say, here is the spot in which you will find the new-born King; here your journey ends. What a building in which to look for the King of the Jews! Nothing but a stable, a cave which served as a refuge for animals. What did the Magi think when they stood there, and what did they say? Did they turn to one another and say we have been duped, and thus ends this great farce? Our modern scientific and learned philosophers would certainly have said so, but the Magi were a different people; they were pagans, it is true, but they had learned on their journey all about God; and now that they were there before this miserable stable, their faith was not shaken. They entered the place and found the Child Jesus, seated on the knees of the Blessed Virgin. He held out His little arms to His visitors, welcoming them, and bidding them approach. A supernatural power forced them to see that this Child was God, the Messias, the King of the Jews, and falling down they adored Him. What a beautiful sight, to see the wise men show their love of God! We are often too proud to show any signs of religion; it seems as if a little wickedness is acceptable to all. Then the Magi brought out their treasures and their offerings; gold, incense, and myrrh, which were the products of their country. They were allowed to kiss the feet of the Infant, and they wept in sympathy at the poverty of the Child and His Mother. Like the Magi, we, too, must offer gifts to the new-born Babe of Bethlehem. What gifts are most grateful to Him? Let us give Him our hearts, but before we give them let us cleanse them by contrition and confession. This little Child will help us to purify our souls so that they will be as pure as refined gold, and as valuable. Let us then arise, and carrying our hearts in our hands, hold them out to Him. He will gladly accept them, He will bless us, and give us that peace which we can find only in God. Behold us, dear Child Jesus, prostrate at Thy feet; willingly we offer Thee our hearts, poor ones as they are; but Thou wilt make them suitable to Thyself. Of ourselves we promise that we will never again offend Thee. The bad habits we have indulged in will, by Thy grace, be eradicated, so that we may live better lives. Accept these cold hearts, inflame them with Thy sacred love; make them desire to love Thee sincerely, so that from this glorious day we may do nothing but what is to Thy greater glory. Source: Sermons for Children's Masses, Imprimatur 1900 TWELFTH DAY, EPIPHANY
In Staffordshire, fires were lighted on this day "in memory of the blazing star that conducted the three magi to the manger in Bethlehem." In Irish homes there was the same insistence on light. In a sieve of oats, surrounded by twelve burning candles, a single large candle was lighted. But generally speaking, all the festivities of the day were based on the idea of kingship and bent on honoring the three kings, so that lots were drawn to determine who should be the king for the day. Here was one way of marking the day. An Epiphany cake was made, traditionally of flour, honey, pepper and ginger, and a halfpenny put in it. When it was baked it was cut into as many pieces as there were members of the family, while portions were also assigned to our Lord, to Mary and to the three Magi. These were given to strangers, preferably to people in need. Whoever found the halfpenny in his piece of cake was saluted as king, placed in a chair of honor, and three times raised up to the ceiling, on which with his right hand he drew a cross. A carol was sung and the king ruled the party that followed. An Epiphany party might easily become a feature of this day in any Catholic youth club or school or family. After a brief re-telling of the story of the Wise Men, those arranging the party could follow the custom of having in the cake three beans, each of which will represent a king. On their being chosen, the three kings rule the party, which should end with a carol-singing procession and the giving away to someone in need of some food which had been held back for this purpose. "A Candle is Lighted" - Imprimatur 1943 |
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