16 Vol. LIX, No. 1 Magnificat comfort to everyone, using and recommending to all the habit of invoking the Holy Name of Jesus. Saint Peter and the other Apostles converted the world with this almighty Name. The first striking miracle of the Prince of the Apostles occurred when he was going into the Temple with Saint John. A lame man, well known to the Jews who frequented the Temple, stretched out his hand expecting to receive an alms. Saint Peter said to him: “Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.” And instantly the lame man bounded to his feet and leaped for joy. The Jews were astonished, but the great Apostle said to them: “Why do you marvel at this, and why are you surprised, as though we made this man sound by our own power or holiness? No, it is by means of faith in His Name, yes, it is the power of His Name that has made whole this man whom you behold and recognize.”3 Since the days of the Apostles, the Name of Jesus has been glorified innumerable times. We will quote a few of these countless 3. Acts of the Apostles 3:6,12,16. examples, which show us how the Saints derived all their strength and consolation from the Holy Name of Jesus. Saint Paul was in a very special way the preacher and doctor of the Holy Name. At first he was a fierce persecutor of the Church, moved by a false zeal and a profound hatred for Christ. Our Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus and converted him, making him the great Apostle of the Gentiles and giving him his glorious mission, which was to preach and make known His Holy Name to all the Nations. Saint Thomas Aquinas says of him: “Saint Paul bore the Name of Jesus on his forehead because he gloried in proclaiming it to all men, he bore it on his lips because he loved to invoke it, on his hands for he loved to write it in his epistles, in his feet because he carried it everywhere, in his heart for his heart burned with love for Jesus. He tells us himself: It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me.4” In his own beautiful way, he tells us two great truths about the Name of Jesus. First of all, he tells us of the infinite power of this Name. “In the Name of Jesus every knee shall bend in Heaven, on Earth and in Hell.”5 Every time we say JESUS, we give infinite joy to God, His Blessed Mother, to the Angels and the Saints, and to all who live in Heaven. Secondly, he tells us how to use it. “Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”6 4. Galatians 2:20. 5. Philippians 2:10. 6. Colossians 3:17. Silver and gold I have none, but what I have, I give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.
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