Traditionally, January is the month dedicated to honoring the Holy Name of Jesus. Reverence for the Holy Name of Jesus has biblical roots and has existed since the earliest days of Christianity. In his Letter to the Philippians St. Paul wrote that, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth…” (2:10).
Devotion to the Holy Name can be practiced in a variety of ways: praying the litany of the Holy Name, saying the name of Jesus reverently throughout the day, bowing our heads when the name of Jesus is spoken, or even by joining the Holy Name Society.
Sadly, however, it is too common for people, even Christians, to violate the Second Commandment by using the name of Jesus disrespectfully. No other name in human history has been used to bring so much spiritual healing and consolation, and yet at the same time is so often used flippantly or in anger.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The second commandment prescribes respect for the Lord’s name. Like the first commandment, it belongs to the virtue of religion and more particularly it governs our use of speech in sacred matters” (2142). Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. His name is holy and deserves proper reverence and respect. We should never use his name vulgarly, and we should never hesitate to protect and defend the name of Jesus when we hear it used disrespectfully.
