My dear Parishioners,

Peace! The second article of the Apostle’s Creed is “And in Jesus Christ, His only son our Lord.” There are four (4) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 452.

There is an entire section of the Catechism which addresses the Second Commandment of God, namely the holiness of God’s Name (§§ 2142-2167). There is an allusion to it here regarding the Creed because Jesus is God incarnate (in the flesh) and His Name is divine.

While the Catechism here cites two (2) passage of Sacred Scripture (Matthew 1:21 and Acts 4:12) there are many other passages which likewise teach us about the Holy Name of Jesus. For example: Belief in Jesus, the Son of God provides life in His Name (cf. John 20:31).

Conversions occur through faithful, rational preaching God’s Kingdom in the Name of Jesus (cf. Acts 8:12; 18:4); When used by holy people, the Holy Name of Jesus is able to cast out wicked and evil spirits (cf. Acts 19:13-16); Healings realized by the power of Jesus’ Holy Name (cf. Acts 3:6; 4:10, 30; 16:18); Persecution has followed the devout use of and teaching in the Holy Name of Jesus (cf. Acts 4:18; 5:40-41).; The Holy Name of Jesus is to be magnified in reverential fear by all (cf. Acts 19:18); Martyrs have died, given their lives for the Holy Name of Jesus (cf. Acts 15:26).
As different names have meanings (e.g. Tennessee = river that bends; Okeechobee = big water; John = God’s gift…), Jesus means “God who saves” (Matthew 1:21). That this Holy Name was given for Jesus by the Angel even before His birth in Bethlehem reminds us that His saving death and resurrection were all a part of the divine plan.

We are not pelagian (heretics who deny the need for God’s grace). We know that we do not save ourselves. It is God who saves us by the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, applied to us through the Sacraments in the Church and our fidelity. This is how he will save us. This is how we are His people.

That Jesus is Mary’s firstborn son is not to imply that she had others (Matthew1:25). Mary is Jesus’ mother not only in Bethlehem but even still now and for all eternity, even as she was during His public life (cf. John 2:1). On the Cross we were all given to Mary as adopted children, in the person of John when the Lord Jesus said: ‘Behold your mother’ (John 19:26). There will be more on Our Lady later in the Catechism.

That there is no “other name by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12 ) except the Holy Name of Jesus helps us to keep a lot in perspective: Not Buddha, not Confucius, not Mohamed, only JESUS!

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr