Nomen Domini Iesu | The Lord Jesus

"The name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor” (Acts 19:17).

At Christmas, we beheld the Child Jesus in the Bethlehem manger, alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. Annually, we contemplate the profound mystery of our faith, the Incarnation of the Son of God. Although we meditate on these Gospel passages for so many years, Jesus Christ still remains a mystery to us. We understand Him all the more, the more strongly we believe in His holy name.

The Apostle Paul performed mighty miracles in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. But those who tried to misuse this name were met with failure. For only those who possess true faith in the Son of God can penetrate the mysteries of the Lord's Holy Name. "In this way the word of the Lord spreads widely and grows in power” (v. 20). Does the name of Jesus permeate your whole being? Do you grow in strength thanks to the power of the name of Jesus? Do you become like Jesus Christ for your sisters and brothers? 

In the contemporary world, as in antiquity, much confusion surrounds the Christian faith. Some people seem to play with the name of the Jesus Christ. There are also people who only call themselves Christians. Sometimes, like Apostle Paul, we have to leave such environment. Sometimes you have to go to another place so as not to perish spiritually. Some people are constantly caught up in the pursuit of material goods. Even we often succumb to the illusion of wealth and prosperity. 

The mentality of this world will always be in conflict with the mentality of Christians who decide to follow in the footsteps of the Master from Nazareth. The gods of this world are no gods for us who believe in the Lord Jesus, who is the begotten Son of God. The vanity of this world and worldly glitz are illusions that lead to disaster and misfortune. Only people who live in the name of Jesus Christ, like the Apostle Paul, can oppose these dangerous temptations.

Therefore, let us not be afraid of those who shout in the name of their idols. We, in the name of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Reflection by Józef Trzebuniak on Acts 19:11-27.

(Listen to podcast here)

Salvos fieri | Power to Save

"Only Jesus has the power to save" - Acts 4:12 (CEV). 

Photo by Katya Ershova on Pixabay

Every day we focus on many things, people, duties, situations, etc. We are usually busy and think that everything is very important. We get lost in words, actions, circumstances. We even cannot find peace and work in a hurry. We become like a man who could not walk by himself (v. 9). So he needed the healing process. Luckily he met with the Apostles Peter and John who told him about Jesus Christ.

Do we have such friends who do the same? Or are we such people who share with others the Good News about our Saviour?

He is the One. He is the stone (v. 11). He is the foundation of our lives. We can call his holy name and get cured by Jesus. There are many things and situations that we cannot change on our own. Yet, everything and everyone can change by his divine power.

The Gospel about Jesus from Nazareth spread throughout centuries. No one can deny the powerful miracles which happened. But many people try to keep this message from spreading. For that reason, we as Christians have to preach the Good News. Especially nowadays we cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard (v. 20). We do not want to give up. We are to praise Jesus and to tell others everything about his truth. 

Let us pray together and meditate on the Word of God. May the Holy Spirit fulfill us with the divine strength and wisdom to overcome all the difficulties. In this way, we will rejoice and also help our brothers and sisters to trust in the power of Jesus' name. Amen.

 Reflection on Acts 4:1-24 by Józef Trzebuniak SVD.

 

(Listen to the Podcast here)