The Name That Makes Us Children of God

Voice over by Carol San San Lwin

1Jn 2:29—3:6, Psalm: 97, Jn 1:29-34

Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Today, as we celebrate the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Church directs our gaze to the profound mystery of who we are and whose we are. Saint John, in his first letter, reveals our true identity with breathtaking clarity: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. And so we are!”

This identity is not a distant hope or a mere title. It is a reality born of the Father’s love and sealed by the Name that saves. As Pope Benedict XVI taught, “In the name of Jesus, we are able to address God with the confidence of children, saying ‘Abba, Father!’” This is the heart of our faith: through Baptism, we are incorporated into Christ and can call God our Father.

But how is this possible? The Gospel provides the answer. John the Baptist points to Jesus and declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This title, “Lamb of God,” evokes the sacrificial lambs whose blood saved Israel. It points to the One whose sacrificial love on the Cross cleanses us from sin and restores our broken relationship with the Father. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a great devotee of the Holy Name, exclaimed, “The name of Jesus is both light and nourishment… it is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, and joy in the heart.” It is in the power of this Name—the name of the Savior, the Lamb—that our sins are forgiven and our divine sonship is secured.

Saint John then makes a startling connection: since we are God’s children, we must strive to live as He is pure. Our identity demands a response. To be a child of God is to be configured to Christ, to gradually shed sin and grow in holiness. This is the hope that purifies us.

For our daily lives, this means:

1. Live Your Dignity: Begin each day by making the Sign of the Cross, invoking the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remember that you are a beloved child of God. Let this truth shape your thoughts, words, and actions, especially in moments of trial or temptation.
2. Call Upon His Name: The name “Jesus” means “God saves.” In moments of anxiety, conflict, or weakness, simply and quietly call upon His name. As St. Paul writes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). It is a prayer of powerful simplicity that centers us in His presence.
3. Point to the Lamb: Like John the Baptist, our mission is to point others to “the Lamb of God.” We do this by living lives of charity, mercy, and forgiveness, showing through our actions that we belong to Christ. Our lives should make others curious about the source of our hope and peace.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Most Holy Name of Jesus is not just a word; it is the summary of our salvation. It is the name that makes us children of God. Let us treasure it, invoke it with love, and live by its power. Amen.