CALLING JESUS' NAME WITHOUT FAITH, AFFECTS OUR SPIRITUALITY

 Wednesday, July 5, 2023


St Anthony Mary Zaccaria, P. (Opt Mem)


First Reading.  Genesis 21: 5, 8-20

Psalm. 34: 7-8, 10-13 (R. see 7a)

Gospel. Matthew 8: 28-34


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


THE WAY YOU CALL JESUS' NAME DETERMINES YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

The way we call the name of Jesus matters most.


Some call Jesus' name in a comic manner

Some call Jesus in a dramatic way

Some call Jesus' name in a social way

Some call Jesus' name for the sake of identity

Some call Jesus' name to lie and cheat

Some call Jesus' name to deceive others 

Some call Jesus' name to commit a crime

Some call Jesus' name to fight the battle alone 

Some call Jesus' name when in a difficult situation, and so on to infinity. 


My dear, the truth is that many call Jesus' name without reverence, and as such they will not feel the spirit of Jesus' presence, because once one can not have reverence for a name, how can such a person feels the spirit of that name?


Imagine, if someone does not regard your name, how will such regard you when you come in person? So, apply such to the calling of Jesus' name.


Many Christians today only call the name of Jesus not with faith, but to fulfill righteousness. 


My dear, knowing that Jesus lives is not enough to be called a believer. It is acknowledging Him as personal Lord and Saviour that qualifies one to be called a believer, better still having reverence for His name. That is, calling His name with dignity

Funny enough, you will see a person sinning, and still calling in the name of Jesus during the sinful act. When we lack respect for His Holy name, how shall we feel His presence in our lives?


In today's Gospel, Jesus went into the country of the Gadarenes, and two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, and begged Him that He should not cast them out, but into the swine (pigs) and Jesus obliged them.


They all entered the swine and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters.


Does it not surprise you that even the demons do not just recognize Jesus, but are also afraid of Him?

Imagine,  demons who have the power to destroy the lives of a man fears Jesus,  but powerless human beings do not fear Jesus. What an irony of the highest order. Hmmm.


My dear, call on the name of Jesus in times of trouble, and all evil forces will scatter. However, one of the general problems we Christians have today is that, though we know that in the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and will even disappear at the mention of His name; but, how many of us call His name with FAITH?


I often hear people calling on Jesus' name at every slightest event, and the name does not even make any meaning to them again.


You hear people shouting Jesus in times of trouble, yet they are still frightened, and panicking, and their whole body would be enveloped with fear.


The question is, why the fear even after calling the name of Jesus? The reason is that we only call on Jesus' name not with faith, but just to signify that we are Christians.

So, if the demons were afraid of Jesus when they saw Him, then believe me that once Jesus' name is mentioned, the evil spirit will be terrified. The two demoniacs were restated back to normal life. 

All these depend on our relationship with Jesus. If you see and take Jesus as your friend, you will call His name with reverence.


Therefore, make friends with Jesus today,  respect and reverence His Holy name, and when you call upon His name, do not fear because a faithful friend like Jesus will not allow evil to befall His close friend.


Peace ✌️ be with you.


Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS. 

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