Living in His Name

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents texts from the First Letter of John and the Gospel of John as part of the Liturgy of the Word for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is, for many, a one word prayer. The idea that a person’s name conveys the essence of their being and mission is important in Biblical study. Jesus name is “God Saves”. In expressing this one word prayer we are seeking the God as One who might save us from immediate or ongoing distress. Friar Jude Winkler helps position the text from the First Letter of John as a response to heretics in the community who are categorized in a very dualistic way as being evil. The characteristic, therefore, of those with the truth is being good. The good who know Jesus keep His Commandments. Those who do not abide in Jesus like the heretics do not obey His Commandments. The author of this text in the beginning of the letter is very pastoral expressing the role of Jesus as our path to achieving intimate relationship with God. The judgement of God praised by the psalmist is preceded by the shepherding of the people by God to follow Him. Friar Jude comments on the “high Christology” of the Gospel of John which presents the Divinity of Jesus. John the Baptist, chronologically older than Jesus, tells of the existence of Jesus before John was born. The understanding of the use of symbols and literary devices in this Gospel helps our literal minds to appreciate how much is contained in the words and images chosen by the Evangelist. Friar Jude mentions the word play on the Lamb or Servant of God. Both these names convey Jesus action as sacrifice for us and the One who lives service. This Gospel raises the salutation “Son of God” from the title of a person with prominence or authority to the One in Trinitarian relationship with the Father through the action of the Holy Spirit, which is symbolized in this Gospel by the dove. The surface or first understanding of sacred texts brings light to our search for God. The study and meditation on these texts brings the brilliance of the vast scope of the relationship we seek to live in the name of Jesus.