January, 2019

The Holy Father's Prayer Intention

Evangelization – Religious Minorities in Asia, That Christians and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practice their faith in full freedom.

21 posted on 01/03/2019 9:15:02 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

'Let us proceed joyfully and let us be sure that all our crosses will bear Christ with them, and that His help, which will never be wanting to us, will be more powerful than the combined efforts of all our enemies.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

22 posted on 01/03/2019 9:16:20 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

23 posted on 01/03/2019 9:20:44 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3717237/posts?page=2

Saint of the Day — Most Holy Name of Jesus

24 posted on 01/03/2019 9:29:12 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

25 posted on 01/03/2019 9:29:48 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Information: St. Genevieve

Feast Day: January 3

Born: 422 at Nanterre near Paris, France

Died: 500 at Paris, France

Patron of: Paris

26 posted on 01/03/2019 9:34:58 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Thursday, January 3

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the optional memorial of the Most Holy
Name of Jesus. We are reminded of all the graces and
gifts we receive from the Father through Jesus. The
Council of Lyons first encouraged devotion to the
name of Jesus in 1274.

27 posted on 01/03/2019 9:38:01 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Catholic Culture

Christmas: January 3rd

Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

MASS READINGS

January 03, 2019 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, who founded the salvation of the human race on the Incarnation of your Word, give your peoples the mercy they implore, so that all may know there is no other name to be invoked but the Name of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

show

Recipes (1)

Initial Cookies

show

Activities (9)

show

Prayers (18)

show

Library (1)

The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus | Fr. William Saunders

» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!

Today the Church celebrates the optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite this feast is celebrated on January 2. In the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, the feast was removed, though a votive Mass to the Holy Name of Jesus had been retained for devotional use. With the release of the revised Roman Missal in March 2002, the feast was restored as an optional memorial in the Ordinary Form on January 3.

The Church reveals to us the wonders of the Incarnate Word by singing the glories of His name. The name of Jesus means Savior; it had been shown in a dream to Joseph together with its meaning and to Our Lady at the annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel.

Devotion to the Holy Name is deeply rooted in the Sacred Scriptures, especially in the Acts of the Apostles. It was promoted in a special manner by St. Bernard, St. Bernardine of Siena, St. John Capistrano and by the Franciscan Order. It was extended to the whole Church in 1727 during the pontificate of Innocent XIII. The month of January has traditionally been dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus which is kept on the First Sunday in the year; but if this Sunday falls on January 1, 6, or 7, the feast is kept on January 2.

Most Holy Name of Jesus - Day Ten
The name of Jesus is a name of gladness, a name of hope and a name of love. A name of gladness, because if the remembrance of past transgressions afflicts us, this name comforts us, reminding us that the Son of God became man for this purpose, to make himself our Savior.

A name of hope, because he that prays to the Eternal Father in the name of Jesus may hope for every grace he asks for: If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it you.

A name of love. For the name of Jesus brings to our remembrance all the sufferings which Jesus has endured for us in his life and at his death. — Excerpted from St. Alphonsus de Liguori, The Incarnation Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ

Day Ten activity (Holy Name Activities)
Day Ten recipe (Sugar Cookies)

Holy Name of Jesus
This feast marks no progress in the development of the Church year. It merely embellishes the occasion just observed when the Child received the Name Jesus as had been foretold by the angel. The feast is meant to impress on us Christians the dignity of the Holy Name. It is a relatively new feast, stemming out of devotional piety. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to find in it some liturgical or ancient Christian dogma. What did a name signify originally? The name should express the nature of a thing. Thus Adam in paradise gave the animals names in accordance with their being. Among the Jews God's name expressed His essence, Yahweh, i.e., I (alone) am who am (and cause all else to be). The Jews had the highest respect for the name of God, a reverence that finds continuation in the Our Father: "Hallowed be Thy Name."

Persons who played prominent roles in the history of salvation often received their names from God Himself. Adam — man of the earth; Eve — mother of all the living; Abraham — father of many nations; Peter — the rock. The Savior's precursor was given the name God assigned him. According to divine precedent, then, the name of the Redeemer should not be accidental, of human choosing, but given by God Himself. For His name should express His mission. We read in Sacred Scripture how the angel Gabriel revealed that name to Mary: "You shall call His name Jesus." And to St. Joseph the angel not merely revealed the name but explained its meaning: "You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." The Messiah should not only be the savior, but should be called Savior. With Jesus, therefore, the name actually tells the purpose of His existence. This is why we must esteem His name as sacred. Whenever we pronounce it, we ought to bow our heads; for the very name reminds us of the greatest favor we have ever received, salvation.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

His name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb." LUKE ii. 21.

1. It is not difficult to meditate upon the Holy Name, or to use the Holy Name in prayer. More than any other name, perhaps alone among all proper names, it is appropriate to the One Who owned it. Usually the names of men are given at random; they mean nothing in themselves; a man who happens to be called John might just as well have been called Thomas or William; the mere name tells us nothing about him; it is a convenient means of distinguishing him from others, a label put upon him and little or no more With a few human beings it has been otherwise: Adam, Abraham, Josue, John the Baptist were given names that signified the men on whom they were bestowed. But with none is this so true as it is with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. With care the Angel impressed it on His Mother's mind: "Thou shalt call His name Jesus," he said, and there followed the description of His future greatness. With care it was repeated to Joseph: Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.

2. The Name stands as a complete summary and description of our Lord's character and office, and it is under this aspect that it has been regarded by thousands of saints, whose hearts have melted at its mere sound. To them Jesus is their God, Jesus is their King, Jesus is their Redeemer, Jesus is their Mediator, Jesus is their Saviour, Jesus is their great Priest, Jesus is their Intercessor, Jesus is the Captain under Whom they fight, Jesus is the Leader Whom they follow, Jesus is their Teacher, Jesus is the Giver of their law, Jesus is the Spouse and Shepherd of their souls, Jesus is their Light, Jesus is their Life, Jesus is the Judge before Whom they rejoice to think that they must one day stand, Jesus is their final and eternal Reward, for which alone they live.

3. But He is also to them the mirror of all the most glorious and winning virtues. He is, and His Name tells them that He is, unbounded Charity, infinite Mercy, extremest Kindness, deepest Humility, most devoted Piety, transparent Simplicity, uttermost Poverty, Chastity without a stain. It is the prerogative of love to transform those who love into the likeness of Him Whom they love; and as the mere name of one who is loved cannot sound in the ear or be thought of in the mind without adding to the love which is already there, so the thought of the Holy Name and the mention of the Holy Name have a kind of sacramental power in the hearts of His saints. They seem to convey the grace which enables men to think like Him, to speak like Him, to act like Him, to sacrifice themselves like Him, and to Him, and for Him, and along with Him, to make Him known to others, not by word only, but also by reproduction of Him in themselves, and to win all men to love Him.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within thee bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee. Ps. cii. i, 2.

1. The great saint of the Holy Name is St. Bernardine of Siena. In his missionary expeditions he carried it on a banner, and used it continually in his sermons. He has a long treatise on the Holy Name, which teems with matter for prayer. The Holy Name, he says, is first of all fruitful for beginners. For these, for sinners, " it shows the immense mercifulness of God, it enables a devout man to gain a victory in every conflict, whether with the devil, the flesh, or the world, it has the power of healing sickness when rightly used, it fills with joy and exultation those who are in any adversity." He quotes St. Peter, that "through His name all receive remission of sin who believe in Him"; St. John : "Your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake"; St. Peter again: "There is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved"; the prayer of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles, that God would "stretch forth his hand to signs and cures and wonders, to be done by the name of thy only Son Jesus"; the further statement in the Acts, that the Apostles went forth "from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus."

2. Next it is fruitful for the proficient. "It is cherished in their hearts and fed upon by faith, it is taken into their mouths and preached or spoken about, it is made the spring of their actions, which then become a great accumulation of merits, it is appropriated in a new way by perseverance, and then it becomes a principle of abiding and enduring life, the remedy of the frailty and fickleness which belong to our poor nature."

By virtue of this Holy Name, he tells us, we ourselves have become the sons of God. In the virtue of this Holy Name St. Paul placed all his hope of doing good. The power of the Holy Name is the power of the Holy Ghost. And for its power of endurance he asks: "Art thou not refreshed as often as thou rememberest the name of Jesus? What is there equal to it for the feeding of the mind that thinks of it, for repairing weariness, for strengthening virtues, for nourishing good and upright ways, for fostering true affections?"

3. Lastly it is fruitful for those whom he calls the perfect. The first fruit is "the sweetness with which those who meditate upon it are filled," according to the beautiful rhythm of St. Bernard, Jesu dulcis memoria. The second is the wonderful power which this Holy Name gives to the prayers and petitions of the devout soul. The third is the immense sweetness which it gives to those who continually renew its memory. The fourth is the triumph and glory which it will produce in eternity: "They shall glory in Thee, all who love Thy name/ And thus for the sake of the name of Jesus the whole soul will live, and be endowed and enriched and beautified with all its powers; it will be made like to God three and one, united to Him, enlightened by Him, and plunged in perfect peace through Him, for it is to live for ever in the state of perfect bliss, furnished with the accumulation of all good."

Excerpted from The Prince of Peace by Alban Goodier

Things to Do:

St. Bernardine of Siena (feast May 20) promoted devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. From the Catholic Culture Library: St. Bernardino Fostered Holy Name Devotion.

28 posted on 01/03/2019 10:12:07 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

The Word Among Us

Meditation: John 1:29-34

The Most Holy Name of Jesus (Optional Memorial)

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him. (John 1:29)

It’s amazing how such a small instrument like a telescope can show us something millions of miles away. For the Moon and some planets, in fact, the view becomes so clear that you’re able to describe them in detail.

John the Baptist seemed to have had a spiritual kind of telescope. From his mother’s womb, he recognized Jesus present within Mary. As a prophet living in the desert, he kept his focus on his mission to testify to the coming Messiah and to call people to repentance. Jesus was so impressed with John’s keen vision that he once said that “among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).

Now, before we go thinking that John was so holy we could never hope to become as clear as he was, we should remember that he had quite a bit of help: the Holy Spirit. John even confessed that he didn’t recognize Jesus at first; it was only after the Spirit opened his eyes that he was able to say, “Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God” (John 1:34).

So what do you think it would be like if you had a spiritual telescope? What kinds of things would you see?

You might notice one of your children being generous to one of his siblings. That’s Jesus at work. You might hear about a neighbor reaching out to another neighbor who has just lost her husband. That’s Jesus at work. Or you might sense a prompting in your own heart to offer to pray with a friend who is hurting. That, too, is Jesus at work.

God is working everywhere. Jesus is always “coming toward” us with his grace and his blessing, inviting us to share that grace with the people around us (John 1:29). So ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes today so that you can see Jesus. You might be surprised by what he shows you. And don’t worry if you don’t see anything right away. Simply asking the Spirit for this grace is itself a sign that Jesus is at work in you.

“Holy Spirit, help me to see Jesus and to share him with the people around me.”

1 John 2:29–3:6
Psalm 98:1, 3-6

29 posted on 01/03/2019 10:13:23 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Daily Gospel Commentary

Saint Jerome (347-420)
priest, translator of the Bible, Doctor of the Church
On Isaiah, ch. 11

"He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit"

"A shoot shall sprout from the stock of Jesse (David's father) and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him" (Is 11:1-2). This whole prophecy is about Christ... The Jews interpret the shoot and the flower sprouting from the stock of Jesse as the Lord himself: for them, the shoot is a symbol of the royal scepter, the flower represents his beauty. Where we Christians are concerned, in the shoot that issues from the stock of Jesse we see the holy Virgin Mary to whom none was united to make her fruitful. It is she whom the same prophet pointed to in an earlier passage: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son" (7:14). And in the flower we recognize our Lord and Savior, who says in the Song of Songs: "I am the flower of the field and lily of the valleys" (Sg 2:1)...

Upon this flower that suddenly sprouts from the stock and root of Jesse through the Virgin Mary, the Spirit of the Lord comes to rest, for "it pleased God to make the whole fullness of the deity dwell in him bodily" (Col 2:9). Not in a partial way as it did on other saints but as we read in the Gospel of Matthew: "Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles" (Mt 12:18; Is 42:1). We apply this prophecy to the Savior on whom the Spirit of the Lord rested, meaning that he made his eternal dwelling in him... As John the Baptist testifies, he descended to remain always upon him: "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'"... This Spirit is called "a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge, reverence and fear of the Lord" (Is 11:2)... He is the one and only source of all gifts.

30 posted on 01/03/2019 10:54:14 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for January 3, 2019:

“Go and search diligently for the child.” (Mt 2:8) Despite Herod’s evil intentions, his words in themselves are true. During the Christmas season and always, let us “search diligently” for the Christ Child through prayer and service to others.

31 posted on 01/03/2019 10:57:21 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Regnum Christi

January 3, 2019 – Be Inspired!

Christmas Weekday

John 1:29-34

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.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that all Christians are called to proclaim you with their lives and to follow the path you have taught. I want to grow closer to you and to be more the person you want me to be. I love you and long to be transformed by your grace!

Petition: Holy Spirit, help me to be attentive and docile to your inspirations.

1. Trust in the Lord and Let Him Lead You: Although John the Baptist knew that he was sent as the Precursor of the Messiah, he did not initially know who the Messiah would be. But he did not let uncertainty about the details stop him. He knew that God had a plan and that he was called to play a part in it; as soon as he knew what direction to go, he went, regardless of not knowing his exact destination. Sometimes we can want to have total knowledge of God’s plan, and we hesitate to go forward until we’re sure we know exactly what to do. However, God rarely gives us a full view of his plan before we start out. He wants us to trust in him, to act on what we do know, and to be confident that God will bring his plan to a good end. Not that we shouldn’t have all the foresight we can, but we can’t expect God to let us in on his “master plan.” When God calls us, our response should be to follow without questioning God’s ways.

2. The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide: The fact that we have to trust in God and allow him to reveal his plan as we go along means that we have to be very attentive to his work in our life. John the Baptist recognized Jesus because he was paying total attention to the signs God was giving him: the Holy Spirit revealed to him that Jesus was the Messiah. God will usually not speak to us through visions and special signs; however, if we have St. John the Baptist’s attitude of openness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and seeing God’s will in the events around us, we will be able to discern his plan for our life and fulfill it. The most important time to listen to God is in prayer, so setting aside time to be with God has to be part of our daily routine.

3. Dealing with the Unexpected: When St. John the Baptist realized that Jesus was the Messiah, it might have been a surprise. They were related through their mothers’ families, and they may have known each other in youth before John went out into the desert. However, John clearly states that he did not know who the Messiah was until the moment the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus’ true identity. John may well have shared the common opinion that Jesus was a man like any other, albeit outstanding in justice and piety. The important thing is that he doesn’t doubt the divine inspiration. Rather, he immediately acts on it, proclaiming Jesus to his followers. In our own lives, God may well ask us to do the unexpected, or we may see his will in places we least expect it. We need to have St. John the Baptist’s readiness to see God’s hand and act on it, even if it goes contrary to our expectations.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, knowing your will in my life can be hard at times. Even when I think I do know what you want from me, it can be difficult to follow through — especially when it is something that I did not expect or that requires that I go beyond my “comfort zone.” But, Lord, I do want to do your will. Grant me the same spirit of docility and dedication as St. John the Baptist!

Resolution: Today I will renew in prayer my personal commitment to always seek to know and follow God’s will in my life. I will try to heed the inspirations that the Holy Spirit gives to guide me on the right path.

32 posted on 01/03/2019 11:01:02 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Homily of the Day

January 3, 2019

Most Holy Name of Jesus

The name of Jesus stands out as a name above all other names. In the Bible Jesus is given many names and titles: Prophet, King, Messiah, Prince of Peace, Son of God, Son of Man, Servant, Savior. In the words of the Bible he is the Altogether Lovely One.

Of all the names and titles given to the Son of the living God, none is as precious, as sweet, as majestic as the name Jesus. It is a special name. During the time of Jesus, the name of Jesus was no different from other names given to children. While this is true, the name was chosen for the Son of God not by his Mother Mary nor by his foster-father Joseph but by his heavenly Father.

The name points back to the Father. The name “Jesus” means “Jehovah is salvation.” In the Old Testament God is a God of wrath and judgment; in the New Testament God is purely and wholly Love. God is love and everything he does is an outgrowth and an expression of his love. Therefore, when the Father sent Jesus to come into our world he was sending a message to humanity, “I have not forgotten nor forsaken you. I love you and I give my Son who will reveal me to you.”

It is a name that paints God’s portrait. The name Jesus at once reveals the Son’s mission and the Father’s heart. God is not in the business of condemning people but in the business of saving people. He does not wish to have anyone go to hell. He tells us that the fires of hell were made for the lost, for the devil and his fallen angels. When the Father chose the name Jesus for his Son, in one word he was telling every creature in his creation that his goal was the redemption and salvation of mankind. This is what he wanted and this is what he accomplished through Jesus.

33 posted on 01/03/2019 11:03:17 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Espanol

All Issues > Volume 35, Issue 1

<< Thursday, January 3, 2019 >>

Holy Name of Jesus

1 John 2:29�3:6
View Readings

Psalm 98:1, 3-6

John 1:29-34
Similar Reflections

RECOGNIZING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

"The reason the world does not recognize us is that it never recognized the Son." �1 John 3:1, NAB

If we don't recognize Christ, we don't recognize Christians, Christmas, and other dimensions of Christianity. If we don't recognize Christ, we don't recognize the only Way to God the Father and Truth Himself (Jn 14:6). Thus we would deprive ourselves of Life (Jn 14:6).

Yet, we have difficulty recognizing Christ. Even St. John the Baptist, whose purpose in life was to prepare for Christ's coming, did not recognize Christ for some time (Jn 1:31, 33). How then can we recognize Christ, Christians, Christmas, and Christianity, and thereby know God our Father, live in the Truth, and have the abundant life? (see Jn 10:10) John recognized Christ when he "saw the Spirit descend like a dove from the sky" and rest on Jesus (Jn 1:32). We too will recognize Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Christmas and life itself depend on our docility to the only true Christmas Spirit, the Holy Spirit.

As we draw closer to the last day of the Christmas season, when we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus in the Holy Spirit, let us repent of any resistance to God's will and cry out: "Come, Holy Spirit!"

Prayer: Father, give me the true Christmas Spirit forever.

Promise: "Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall later be has not yet come to light. We know that when it comes to light we shall be like Him." —1 Jn 3:2

Praise: Praise You, Jesus. Our God and Savior, may all heads bow, all knees bend, and all hearts rejoice at the mention of Your Holy Name. Alleluia!

34 posted on 01/03/2019 11:05:06 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Protect life from conception to natural death.

35 posted on 01/03/2019 11:13:14 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794