“God’s name is great when spoken with respect for the greatness of his majesty. God’s name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending him” Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2149 / St. Augustine
I’ve thought and prayed long for a resolution for 2024, for both myself and the Road of Faith. This morning in prayer, the Lord out this on my heart. His Holy Name.
This resolution starts at the base level – the 2nd Commandment. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” Exodus 20:7 / Deuteronomy 5:11. The first step of this resolution, for me is easy. Never use the Lord’s Name for anything but prayer, worship, praise and evangelization. That includes phrases like ‘oh my God’ or even the cheat “OMG”, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” I never do this – simple first step. For others on the Road of Faith, maybe not so easy. We as Christians can never be one’s who mouth these words as exclamation, profanity or otherwise. Start now.
Speak God’s Name with respect, veneration and fear.
Second step, raise the Holy Name of God to a higher level within the soul. Speak His Holy Name with reverence and praise. Lift His Holy Name in prayer often. To raise the Name of Jesus to a point within one’s life that the soul sees how Holy this Name is. How Holy God is. The goal of this is to raise the Holy Name of God to a point within one’s soul that the soul is lifted to new and lofty heights.
For me, on The Road of Faith, I pray that God gives me clear sight to speak of and write of His Holy Name and Mercy throughout 2024 and into eternity.
Any who know me or has followed the Road of Faith for any time knows that Philippians 2:5-11 are some of my favorite words written in Scripture. So, join me in this resolution of reverence of God, to make the Name of Jesus strong in our heart. To bend our knee in honor of God’s Name. To confess the mighty Name of Jesus to the glory of God, the Father. Never speaking anything of His Holy Name but Praise, Honor, Glory and Veneration. And, to shape those around us to honor His Name not blaspheme.
“Let the same mind be in you that was[a]in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
When a defense is needed, let it be first with the Holy Name of God upon our lips.