"In the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bend in Heaven, on earth and in Hell."

Sometimes the seemingly simplest things have so much more power than we suspect – for good or ill.  On the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus we discussed both.  Sadly, today we hear the name of God most often used as an acronym to indicate surprise, shock. Even good Christians rattle it off in jest or in exasperation.  Several years ago a priest explained that obviously this is a problem, a blasphemy.  However he went on to describe the power of the Holy Name and how we can and should use it reverently and regularly.  

"What do you know, Dear Reader, about the Name of Jesus?  You know that it is a holy name and that you must bow your head reverently when you say it.  That is very little.  It is as if you looked at a closed book and merely glanced at the title on the cover.  You know nothing of all the beautiful thoughts in the book itself. Even so, when you pronounce the Name of Jesus you know very little of the treasures hidden in it.This Divine Name is in truth a mine of riches; it is the fount of the highest holiness and the secret of the greatest happiness that a man can hope to enjoy on this earth.  Read and see.It is so powerful, so certain, that it never fails to produce in our souls the most wonderful results.  It consoles the saddest heart and makes the weakest sinner strong.  It obtains for us all kinds of favors and graces, spiritual and temporal. Two things we must do. 

First of all, we must understand clearly the meaning and value of the Name of Jesus.

Secondly, we must get into the habit of saying it devoutly, frequently, hundreds and hundreds of times every day.  Far from being a burden, it will be an immense joy and consolation."   

So begins the little booklet by Fr Paul Sullivan, The Wonders of the Holy Name.  He tells many stories from history of miracles connected to the Holy Name. Holy Name societies used to be very common in Catholic parishes.  St Paul tells us in scripture:

"Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Whether you eat or whether you drink, or whatever else you do,

do all in the Name of Jesus."

Fr Sullivan says:

"This advice all the Saints followed, so that their every act was done for love of Jesus, and therefore their every act and thought won them graces and merits.  It was by this Name that they became Saints.  If we follow this same advice of the Apostle, we too shall reach a very high degree of sanctity.

How are we to do everything in the Name of Jesus?  By acquiring the habit, as we have said, of repeating the Name of Jesus frequently in the course of the day. This presents no difficulty – it only demands good will."

The same priest who explained all this to us also had a habit of distributing small cards with the name of Jesus on them.  Just carry them, he said.  Set them where you will see them and reverently repeat the Name of God.  Fr Sullivan's little booklet elaborates on this idea: 

"Cards with the Holy Name inscribed on them have been used and recommended by the great lovers of the Holy Name, such as Msgr. Andre Dias, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, and St. Gregory of Tours…Our readers would do well to use these cards, carrying them about on their persons during the day, putting them under their pillows at night and placing them on the doors of the rooms."

Two stories from my own life.  I was visiting a friend when her husband came home from work for lunch.  He was standing at the counter saying grace and bowed slowly and deliberately as he said the words, "…through Christ our Lord..'   My friend explained later he was also teaching the children to bow their heads devoutly upon hearing the Holy Name.  The second story that sticks in my mind was many years ago when the Winans Family was nominated for a music award.  They were backstage waiting to go on and the act ahead of them was performing something inappropriate.  One of the brothers was quietly singing, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," over and over to himself until it was over.  An act of refocusing, reparation, devotion. 

The older I get the more convinced I am that words have power.  It is why different groups fight so bitterly over them. It is how we build up and how we tear down. In many social media circles it is now a trend to choose a focus word for the year.  Some let a computer generate this word.  Some reflect a bit and choose a word that comes to them.  Whole groups have been formed to meditate upon, write about, and create works based upon the chosen word. 

(decals from Ali Edwards design)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with aspirational projects.  For me, this year, I think the best word is Jesus. We cannot do better than this for our inspiration, our direction, our reflection.  

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy, Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us (etc.)

Jesus, Splendor of the Father,

Jesus, Brightness of eternal Light,

Jesus, King of Glory,

Jesus, Sun of Justice,

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary,

Jesus, most amiable,

Jesus, most admirable,

Jesus, the mighty God,

Jesus, Father of the world to come,

Jesus, angel of great counsel,

Jesus, most powerful,

Jesus, most patient,

Jesus, most obedient,

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

Jesus, Lover of Chastity,

Jesus, our Lover,

Jesus, God of Peace,

Jesus, Author of Life,

Jesus, Model of Virtues,

Jesus, zealous for souls,

Jesus, our God,

Jesus, our Refuge,

Jesus, Father of the Poor,

Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful,

Jesus, good Shepherd,

Jesus, true Light,

Jesus, eternal Wisdom,

Jesus, infinite Goodness,

Jesus, our Way and our Life,

Jesus, joy of the Angels,

Jesus, King of the Patriarchs,

Jesus, Master of the Apostles,

Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists,

Jesus, Strength of Martyrs,

Jesus, Light of Confessors,

Jesus, Purity of Virgins,

Jesus, Crown of all Saints,

Be merciful unto us, spare us, O Jesus!

Be merciful unto us, graciously hear us, O Jesus!

From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus!

From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus!

From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Jesus! (etc.)

From the snares of the devil,

From the spirit of fornication,

From everlasting death,

From the neglect of Thine inspirations,

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation,

Through Thy Nativity,

Through Thine Infancy,

Through Thy most divine Life,

Through Thy Labors,

Through Thy Agony and Passion,

Through Thy Cross and Dereliction,

Through Thy Sufferings,

Through Thy Death and Burial,

Through Thy Resurrection,

Through Thine Ascension,

Through Thine Institution of the Most Holy Eucharist,

Through Thy Joys,

Through Thy Glory,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus!

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus!

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus!

Jesus, hear us, Jesus, graciously hear us

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said: Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the grace of Thy most divine love, that we may love Thee with all our hearts, words and works, and never cease to praise Thee. Make us, O Lord, to have a continual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never ceasest to rule and govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Amen

"God wants us to fill our homes with happiness. He made childhood joyous, full of life, bubbling over with laughter, playful, bright and sunny.  It is a crime to repress the mirth and the gladness and to try to make children grave and stately.  Life's burdens will come soon enough to lie upon their shoulders.  Life will soon enough bring care and anxiety and hardship and a weight of responsibility. We should let them be young and free from care just as long as possible.  

We should put into their childhood days just as much sunshine and gladness, just as much cheerful pleasure as possible. Besides the way also to make them strong and noble in character when they grow up to manhood and womanhood is to make their childhood and youth both bright and happy.  If you want to produce a vigorous, healthy plant, you will not bring it up in a dark room; you will give it all the sunshine it will take.  Human lives will never grow into their best in gloom.  

Pour the sunshine about them in youth

let them be happy

encourage all innocent joy

provide pleasant games for them

romp and play with them

be a child again among them

Then God's blessing will come upon your home, and your children will grow up sunny hearted, gentle, affectionate, joyous themselves and joy-bearers to the world."

Home-Making by JR Miller

Nothing brings me greater happiness that the little clips of video my children send me of their children everyday.  It is truly beautiful to see them them playing and laughing together, greatly enjoying one another.  To be sure there are many sleepless nights, a multitude of new chores, medical bills, and responsibilities.  But as my son said the other day, "You can't know what will happen to your heart when you have a child."  

He's right.  It expands in untold ways.  The smile of a child is contagious.  Encourage it.  Share it.  Throw the windows open to let all the light of childhood flood your home and your hearts.  It makes the yoke of those responsibilities lighter and easier to carry.  

It is a fine thing if your child becomes a doctor or a lawyer, but nothing compares to sending joy-bearers out into a weary world. 

“The duty of the moment is what you should be doing at any given time, in whatever place God has put you.

And it must be done, because the duty of the moment is the duty of God.”

― Catherine Doherty

We discussed in our theology class that doing a good deed of your choice is, of course, a good thing.  However, doing what you ought or what you must and doing that to the best of your ability is ever more meritorious because it has added to it the virtue of obedience.  We can make a dozen resolutions for the new year.  They can be very motivating and are certainly not bad things.  Still it cannot compare with doing what is placed before us with a gentle spirit, trusting that is what would please God the most.  It is not that complicated to figure out what our purpose is.  It lies right there in meeting the duty of the moment.  

Scenes from Christmas at home, with a portion of the children.  My best gift this year was not cooking.  I have been complaining – sometimes vigorously – that it is neither my joy nor my skill set.  Due to severe food intolerances I also do not eat the majority of what is made.  It had become high level drudgery for me. Fortunately it has become intriguing and relaxing to my husband who organized the troops and made all the food.  All the food.  ALL.  the.  food.  So this day I set the table.  I took pictures.  I scurried around doing up dishes in between their projects.  It was delightful.  We all learned a lot.  

We attended midnight mass for the first time in many years for me.  It was magical. I am deeply indebted to our little church for doing the heavy lifting during the liturgical year celebrations after so many years of our being overseas or in a mission church.  

We did not read a ton this advent.  The library is closed again. I did read the children The Gift of the Magi one day over lunch.  I read it first in grade school and I remember being so amazed and surprised at the end.  I wanted to share it especially this year as the tone "out there" tends more and more towards discontent, disagreement, and entitlement.  Most of us today do not have to take such drastic steps to have a gift to give our beloved.  This is the legacy of historical literature. Perspective.  A reality check. Appreciation hopefully. Following the last novel I read of the same era, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, it leaves so many thoughts of a way of life most can no longer imagine though it was a mere 100 years ago. I also watched an old Walton's movie set during the depression and am thinking its time to rewatch that whole series. 

Our oldest spent the weekend with us watching movies and playing board games. It's funny how the things we used to do for them when they were little are the things they offer to do with us today.  We read together, watch interesting films, listen to each other's music, assemble more complex puzzles, and play more challenging versions of board games.

"A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear."

I meant to write about this last month and time got completely away from me.   During one of our theology classes Sister spoke about purgatory and mentioned The Heroic Act of Charity.  I learned about this many years ago though have not spoken much about it.  

Just as we pray for one another here and now, we offer for and enjoy the prayers of the faithful who have left this world but who still love us and pray for our salvation.  Surely such an act of generosity to them will never go unrewarded. May they Rest In Peace. 

THE HEROIC ACT IN FAVOR OF THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

O MY GOD! for Thy greater glory, and to imitate as closely as possible the generous Heart of Jesus, my Redeemer, and also to testify my devotion to the Blessed Virgin, my Mother, who is also the Mother of the Souls in Purgatory, I place in her hands all my satisfactory works, as well as the fruit of all those which may be offered for my intention after my death, that she may apply them to the Souls in Purgatory according to her wisdom and good pleasure. Amen.

"This Heroic Act of Charity is the completely unselfish offering to God of all the satisfactory value of one's prayers and good works — plus the value of any that might be offered  for one after one's death — for the benefit of the Souls in Purgatory, rather than for oneself. The "satisfactory value" of a good work is its value with regard to making up for our sins and reducing our stay in Purgatory. However, the "meritorious value" of our good works is inalienable, i.e., our merits, which give us a right to an increase of glory in Heaven, cannot be applied to anyone else. Moreover, a person who has made the Heroic Act may still pray for himself, friends and other intentions.

The Heroic Act is revocable at will and is not a vow. Its actual ratification depends on the will of God. By making this act with purity of intention, one is relying upon the mercy of God and the prayers of the Communion of Saints to assist his soul after death. The Heroic Act was approved and encouraged by Pope Benedict XIII [1724-1730]." – catholictradition.org

more here

"All men, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In Him is the salvation of the individual; in Him is the salvation of society. … He is the author of happiness and true prosperity for every man and for every nation. If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ. … When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace, and harmony."  - Quas Primas 

It matters less who rules over our nations than Who rules over our homes, our hearts, our thoughts, and our deeds. May we never forget where our true allegiance belongs. 

If our hope is in this life only, we are truly the most miserable among men. 1 Cor 15:19

Prayer to Christ the King:

O Lord our God, You alone are the Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations.

We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of receiving from You, O Divine King, mercy, peace, justice and all good things.
Protect, O Lord our King, our families and the land of our birth.

Guard us we pray Most Faithful One. 

Protect us from our enemies and from Your Just Judgment 

Forgive us, O Sovereign King, our sins against you.

Jesus, You are a King of Mercy.

 We have deserved Your Just Judgment Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us.

We trust in Your Great Mercy. 

O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray, May Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognized on earth. 

Amen

This week has been full of challenges.  This isn't particularly out of the ordinary in a large family mind you.  I was grateful to awaken fairly rested this morning and had an hour to myself to sit and read and think in absolute quiet before I needed to shift into high gear. A title caught my eye on the bookshelf: Holy Abandonment.  My fingers ran down the table of contents til they reached "home and community." 

The page found, I read first, "Our time on earth is a a time of conflict: of conflict against ourselves to repair our faults, to overcome our defects, and to grow in virtue and merit. The means at our disposal for attaining these ends are manifold. One of the most efficacious is community life with the sacrifices it imposes."  This of course, has its counterpart in the domestic church, the home and family. 

Jean Pierre de Caussade writes that, "…because you have not sufficiently brought home to yourself this great principle, you have never been able to submit as you should to certain conditions and occurrences, nor consequently to remain firmly and tranquilly united to the will of God." He says we suffer much disquiet and 'false reasonings' on this account. 

There is a section which follows that explains that the irritations and upset we experience with others only serves to show us what is inside of ourselves.  Kind of like that meme about how when the kettle is knocked you find out what was boiling inside of it.  Other people serve to reveal was already inside of us.  For this reason the author asserts that these occasions of annoyance are a blessing.  (otherwise) "We should imagine we knew ourselves and all the time entertain the most fantastic illusions, if this person or that in a moment of temper did not frankly tell us the truth about ourselves."

He shares that a holy founders once said, "Each of you has her own disposition, temper, imperfections, eccentricities. If we had no difficult characters (in our family/community) we would be obliged to purchase some in order that they might help us to heaven. God has provided us with such means free of charge. It is for us to make the most of of this means of mortification."  

Digest that one for a moment.  These personality clashes are somehow a blessing.  More than that,  a necessity.

Holy Abandonment advises:

"Let us forgive and we shall be forgiven. Let us forget the wrongs we have suffered from our brother and God will gladly forget the wrongs He has suffered from us. Let us support our neighbor, let us be patient with him, show him mercy and kindness; and the Lord, ever faithful to His promise, will deal in the same manner with us."   The author understands this is not easy.  "It costs something to suffer without respite." 

These contradictions which we face day in and day out, "Provide us with repeated opportunities for the practice of the rarest and most solid virtues: charity, patience, gentleness, humility of heart, kindness, mortification of the temper, etc.  These little daily virtues, faithfully practiced, will yield us a a rich harvest of graces….

This cross alone (daily irritations) will serve more effectually than other crosses, heavier in appearance."

De Caussade goes so far as to say, "Far from pitying you, I can only congratulate you on having found at last an occasion for the practice of true charity. The antipathy you feel for the person with whom you are continually associated,  the opposition between your ideas and temperaments, the pain he causes you by his manners and language are so many infallible guarantees that the charity you will exercise in his regard shall be purely supernatural without the least alloy of human sentiment. Therefore thank the good God."

He gives four instructions so we may not squander this opportunity:

1. Endure patiently the involuntary feelings of resentment excited in your heart by the conduct of this person, just as you would endure an attack of fever or a headache. 
2. Never speak as perhaps others do of this person but always say something to his advantage for he must have some good qualities. And which of us is altogether free of defects?
3. Whenever you commit any fault (ie respond undesirably to the person) repair it once by gently humbling yourself without any voluntary bitterness either against yourself or this person. By means of these daily miseries and faults God never ceases to lower our pride and keep us in true humility. 
4. Abandon everything to Providence. 

"Instead of complaining, let us bless God Who has had the wisdom and the goodness to place at our side (such a person) for that neighbor is necessary to us."

St Jane Frances de Chantal, a woman who is said to have begun her life with a 'haughty' disposition, chipped away at her pride and grew in humility over a seven year span following her husbands untimely death. She was ill-treated and suffered humiliations in her father-in-law's home.  You can read more here on page 164-165. 

We made a short visit to the Western Slope to see one of our sons – and the fall colors – this weekend. My phone is also down so I missed my annual sharing of St. Francis' Perfect Joy.  I certainly thought about it though and am posting a bit late anyway.  It's too good to miss.  

"He hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways." Psalm 90

St Ambrose tells us, "Every soul at the moment it is infused into the body, is entrusted into the keeping of an Angel." 

"That there is an angel for each one of the faithful no one will contradict." St Basil

"Their angels always see the face of the Father," Mt 18:10

We have been told of the angels watching over us from the writers of the Old Testament up to the present day.  It is piously believed that countries, cities, churches and families have heavenly guardians as well. Despite the heartwarming depiction of Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life, angels are not wonderfully good people who go to heaven and get their wings.  Believers who go to heaven are referred to as saints – and not just the famous ones.  Angels were created ahead of us and are entirely different creatures of God.  And though they are also often depicted as chubby babies that isn't the best visual for creatures who have been seen defending us with flaming swords and on the front lines of battlefields. (more here)  Given how many accounts we have of angelic activity it ought to challenge any ideas we may have of the heavenly host lolling about on their own clouds. 

St Bernard admonishes us to continually bring to mind our indebtedness for this protection. "Never forget your life companion. Show him reverence for his presence, for his loyalty, and for his good will, and have great confidence in his protection."

Pius XI refers to St Bernard's instructions and adds to them:

"We wish to stress in particular as an act of gratitude that We have always experienced the wonderful help of Our Guardian Angel. We have often felt his very presence.

The same can be said of the Guardian Angels of all little children, that they are always present, led by their tender love to be ever watchful.

The conviction that we are protected by a prince of the heavenly army by one of those chosen spirits of whom Christ said that they always see the face of God, this conviction fills us with reverence, devotion, and a firm confidence.

Such a confidence is necessary and must give evidence of itself when a great duty must be fulfilled or a good resolution carried out. At these times we must avail ourselves of the help and protection of our Guardian Angel.

Our prayers for his help are the clearest and best expression of our confidence. This salutary thought of St. Bernard was impressed on our mind early in life by our mother, as soon as we were able to understand it.

This conviction supported us in all the things we have accomplished in our life with the help of God's grace, and it will certainly be our support in the remaining part of our life, which God will grant us."

We have a convicting example in St Francis de Sales.  Fr. Lasance relates:

St. Francis of Sales had a particular devotion to his Guardian Angel; he celebrated the Feast with special care and piety; in spirit he received his blessing in the most important actions of his life; and not only was he devout to his good Angel, but also to the Angels of his friends. He had even a devotion to those of the heretics, his enemies; for he said that in disputing with the Huguenots he exorcised the demons who possessed and obsessed them, and afterward invoked their Angels. When he was absent from his diocese, he recommended it in an especial manner to the care of his holy Angel. He never failed to salute the Angels of the kingdoms, provinces, or parishes which he entered. In the confessional he frequently invoked the Guardian Angel of his penitent, and we may read in his letters how much be recommended to his pious friends devotion to their Guardian Angel. He said that in this world the Angels attend to almost everything, as they are the messengers of God, and invisible; and that to accomplish much for His Divine service and not wish to appear was to serve God in an angelic manner.

Lest we think devotion to the angels is child's play, Father Husslein, S.J. says, "Never let us imagine we can outgrow in stature or in years, our need for the daily and more frequent recital of that perfect little prayer to the Guardian Angel which we learned at our mother's knee: 

"Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide."