(The Most Holy Name of Jesus)
Optional readings may be
taken from texts for Votive Masses #983, The Most Holy Name of Jesus
 |
| “The Adoration of the Name of Jesus” by El Greco, 1578-79 |
Reading 1: 1 John 2:29–3:6
If you consider that God is
righteous,
you also know that everyone
who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has
bestowed on us
that we may be called the
children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not
know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s
children now;
what we shall be has not yet
been revealed.
We do know that when it is
revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he
is.
Everyone who has this hope
based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin
commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed
to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him
sins;
no one who sins has seen him
or known him.
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Commentary on 1 Jn
2:29–3:6
This selection, from St. John’s
first letter, starts by telling his followers that, since they have chosen to
act in accordance with the Lord’s commandments, they have received his
adoption. The evangelist first tells his audience that, if they are righteous,
they are of God, because God is righteous. Then he goes on to say if they are
pure, they are in him (Jesus) because he is purity. Finally he gives us the
inverse, saying if they are in sin they cannot be in God, because in God there
is no sin. All of this relative description relates to our adopted status in
the Lord.
In chapter 3 the evangelist
explains Christian adoption. “The greatest sign of God's love is the gift of
his Son (John 3:16) that has
made Christians true children of God. This relationship is a present reality
and also part of the life to come; true knowledge of God will ultimately be
gained, and Christians prepare themselves now by virtuous lives in imitation of
the Son.” [4]
In the final paragraph reference to sin and lawlessness are
probably references to acting in ways that follow the teachings of the
“antichrist” or false teachers.
CCC: 1 Jn
3 2822; 1 Jn 3:1 1692; 1 Jn 3:2 163, 1023, 1161, 1720, 2519,
2772; 1 Jn 3:3 2345; 1 Jn 3:5 457
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the
saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous
deeds;
His right hand has won
victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving
power of God.
The LORD has made his
salvation known:
in the sight of the nations
he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his
kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving
power of God.
All the ends of the earth
have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD,
all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving
power of God.
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Commentary on Ps 98:1,
3cd-4, 5-6
Psalm 98 is a
song of praise and thanksgiving. We see in this selection how God is praised
for the strength he lends his people, and the salvation he brings to those who
are faithful. The psalm rejoices in God’s salvation. The Lord has revealed his
compassion toward the people and they sing his praises in response. As the
Hebrews saw this as salvation for the people of Israel from its enemies, we see
the deeper expression of God’s love as he sent his Son for salvation and
justice for the whole world.
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Gospel: John 1:29-34
The next day he (John the
Baptist) saw Jesus
coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who
takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who
ranks ahead of me
because he existed before
me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came
baptizing with water
was that he might be made
known to Israel
John testified further,
saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down
like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to
baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the
Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will
baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified
that he is the Son of God.”
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Commentary on Jn
1:29-34
St. John the Baptist professes the identity of Jesus as the
Messiah, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” The
author’s theological understanding of the eternal nature of Christ is expressed
in the Baptist’s words: “A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me."
After stating the connection between Jesus Christ and the
Baptist’s mission, the author follows the tradition of the synoptic Gospels as
he describes Jesus emerging from his baptism in the Jordan and the descent of
the Holy Spirit. St. John concludes this testimony by St. John the Baptist with
a solid affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God.
John’s great epiphany guides the Church's Christology: Jesus
followed John the Baptist, being born after he was but ranking high above him.
John the Baptist came baptizing with water; Jesus baptizes in the Holy
Spirit. St. John recounts how, when Jesus came to the repentant bath in the
Jordan, the dove descended and God the Father claimed him.
CCC: Jn 1:29 408,
523, 536, 608, 1137, 1505; Jn 1:31-34 486; Jn
1:31 438; Jn
1:32-34 713; Jn
1:32-33 536; Jn
1:33-36 719; Jn
1:33-34 1286
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Homily:
Of all the images and all the
names of Jesus we receive at this time of year, the one we are given by St.
John’s Gospel today provokes the most emotion. We have heard the story of Jesus
in the womb of Mary, and how he was born in humble surroundings. We probably
placed the tiny figure of the Christ child in the manger scene in our homes,
and thought: “How cute is the baby Jesus.”
We have heard little about his
life (except the incident where he was left at the temple) until his baptism by
John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Here, in the account of St. John’s Gospel,
we are given the image of the Eucharistic Christ: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” We
hear a similar phrase and respond to it each time we go to Mass. The celebrant
elevates the newly consecrated host, now the Body of the Risen Christ, and echoes
the marvel of St. John the Baptist. In awe he proclaims that once more the
promise is fulfilled, once more the Lord has come so that we might be in him
and he in us. “Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to
the supper of the Lamb.”
And what is that image, what
holy name is used? Is it the babe in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger? Is
it the mighty Savior, his winnowing fan in his hand, who casts out evil? Is it
the Messiah entering the gates of Jerusalem to loud hosannas? No, it is the
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The lamb, in Jesus' time the
male lamb, was the prescribed animal for the sacrifice of atonement. The Lamb
of God, the meek and unresisting sacrifice, opened the gates of heaven to us; the
blood of that Lamb was poured out for all humankind and gained for us the eternal
promise.
Today we celebrate, as
Church, the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. It is the name bestowed on
the only Son of God. He is the Lamb of God, and at his name, St. Paul writes in
his letter to the Philippines: “every
knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every
tongue proclaim, to the glory of God the Father, that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.”
(Philippians 2:10-11)
Pax
[1]
The picture used today is “The Adoration of the Name of Jesus” by El Greco,
1578-79.
[3]
The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the
psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for
English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is
for private use only.
[4]
See NAB footnote on 1 Jn 3:1ff.
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