Saturday, January 01, 2011

January: Month of the Holy Name of Jesus


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Gospel Reading: Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
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The name Jesus was given to the Holy Child at God's command (Luke 1:31). The Holy Name is all-powerful because of the Person who bears it; we honor it because of the command of Christ, that we should pray in His Name and because it reminds us of all the blessings we have received through our Holy Redeemer. Hence St. Paul was able to write to the Philippians: "...at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth" (Phil. 2:10). By means of this devotion we also make amends for improper use of the Holy Name.

"Blessed be the most holy Name of Jesus without end!"
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Act of Reparation for Blasphemies Uttered Against the Holy Name

O Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer, Son of the living God,
behold, we kneel before Thee and offer Thee our reparation;
we would make amends for all the blasphemies uttered against Thy holy name, for all the injuries done to Thee int he Blessed Sacrament,
for all the irreverence shown toward Thine immaculate Virgin Mother,
for all the calumnies and slanders spoken against Thy spouse,
the holy Church and Roman Church. O Jesus,
who hast said:
"If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,"
we pray and beseech Thee for all our brethren who are in danger of sin;
shield them from every temptation to fall away from the true faith;
save those who are even now standing on the brink of the abyss;
to all of them give light and knowledge of truth, courage and strength
for the conflict with evil, perseverance in faith and active charity!
For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus, in Thy name, unto God the Father, with whom Thou livest and reignest
in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.
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Dear Jesus,
be not my judge but my Savior.

Jesus, my God,
I love you above all things.

Jesus,
for you I live;
Jesus, for you I die;
Jesus I am Yours in life and in death.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You alone are holy,
You alone are Lord,
You alone are most high.

Prayer of Petition

O Jesus,
Your Name means "Savior."
Be my Savior,
dear Lord.
Your adorable Name is the joy of heaven,
]the terror of hell,
the consolation of the afflicted,
and the solid basis for my unlimited confidence.
Through this glorious Name,
mercifully grant all the petitions
which I make in this prayer.

Prayers and invocations from The Prayer Book, Catholic Book Press, Inc. and New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing.

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