Outline of Meditation

This fragment is taken from the book by Peter Rohrbach 'Conversation with Christ' published by TAN Books:

General purpose: to hold loving conversation with Christ

1. Preparation:
Place oneself in the presence of Christ.
2. Selection of the material:
Read; or study a picture of Christ
3. Consideration:
Reflect upon the material. Ask yourself the questions: who, what, why, for what reason?
4. Conversation: (Core of the Meditation, Colloquy)
Converse with Our Lord about the material. Employ the affections of love, adoration, thanksgiving, sorrow, petition
5. Conclusion:
Gratitute to Christ for favours received. Examination of faults during meditation, resolution of further effort in succeeding meditation.

MEDITATION

After 'Divine Intimacy' by F. Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen OCD, Imprimatur Richard Cardinal Cushing Archbishop of Boston

January 2nd Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Presence of God: O Jesus, make me understand the mysteries and the treasures contained in Your most sweet Name

Meditation:
1. The Feast complements the circumcision mystery- which is celebrated today, since it was during the rite of circumcision that the name of Jesus was given to the Child. Today the Church directed our attention to the humility of the Son of God; tomorrow she invite us to celebrate the glories of His Name. That these glories flow especially from His prodigious humiliations is affirmed by St Paul:"Brethren, Christ humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the Cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him and hath given Him a Name which is above all names: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow" (Phil 2,8-10). The Church invites us, her children, to render grateful and pious homage to Him who humbled Himself so profoundly for us. The heart of every Christian should respond to this invitation and exalt the most Holy Name of Our Savior, that is His very Person, for the Name of Jesus expresses what He is: Savior, Redeemer. This sacred Name announced by the Angel to both Mary and Joseph was given to Our Lord by God Himself. "Thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins" (Mt 1,21). This Name expresses and synthesizes the great mysteries of Incarnation and Redemption; it is at the center of the universe like a point of contact, like a bridge between God and all mankind. Man can reach God only by means of Jesus and in the Name of Jesus: " for there is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved" (Ep: Acts 4,8-12).
2. Today's Mass, continuing St Paul's thought, offers us a majestic picture of the glory which is due the holy Name of Jesus: "That at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father" (Introit). The entire Church-triumphant, militant and suffering- is prostrate in adoration; the whole of creation seems to be silent, having stopped in its course for a moment to hear this most holy Name which gives glory to God and salvation to mankind. Truly, "neither tongue can tell, nor pen express" the inestimable treasures contained in the Name of Jesus. Nothing sweeter can be sung, nothing more agreeable can be heard, nothing more delightful can be imagined than Jesus, the Son of God" (Roman Breviary). "Thy name is as oil poured out (Ct 1,2), says Holy Scripture, and St Bernard comments, "Oil gives light, it nourishes, it anoints... See how well this applies to the Name of the true Bridegroom. It is light when it is preached; it is food in meditation; it is balm and healing when it is invoked for aid... All food is as dry husks to the soul unless it is stepped in this oil; insipid unless seasoned with this salt. If you write, it has no savor for me, unless I read there the Name of Jesus. If you discourse or converse, it has no taste unless the Name of Jesus shall sound. The Name of Jesus is honey to the mouth, music to the ears, gladness to the heart. It is healing (RB). Let us lovingly bless and invoke this most sweet Name which contains all our hope and salvation, all our life and glory. Only he who loves can praise it suitably, not by words alone but by deeds; only he who loves can penetrate the mysterious sweetness contained in it; only he who loves can bear witness to it by his entire life."May Thy Name, O Jesus, resound in our voices! May our actions express Thy life and our hearts love Thee now and forever!"(ibid.)

COLLOQUY
"O glorious Name! Gracious Name! Name full of love and virtue! Through You, sins are forgiven, enemies overcome, the sick healed, and sufferers strengthened in adversity! You are the honor of believers, the master of preachers, the comfort of those who toil, the support of the weak. Holy desires are nourished by the ardor of Your fire; and by it, necessary suffrages are obtained, contemplative souls are inebriated, and the triumphant are glorified in heavenly glory! By Your most Holy Name, O sweet Jesus, You make us reign with the Blessed, You, their glory, You who triumph gloriously with the Father and the Holy Spirit, in perfect Unity and Trinity, forever and ever.
"O Name of Jesus, exalted above every other Name! O triumphant Name! O joy of Angels! O terror of hell! All hope of pardon, of grace and of glory is found in You! O sweetest Name, You pardon the guilty, You reform evil habits, You fill the timid with divine sweetness and drive away terrifying visions! O glorious Name! By You, the mysteries of eternal life are revealed, souls are inflamed with divine love, strengthened in time of struggle, and freed from all dangers. O desirable Name! Delightful Name! Adorable Name! Venerable Name! Little by little You raise the souls of the faithful by your gifts and graces to the heights of heaven. All to whom You communicate Your ineffable grandeur by Your power attain to salvation and glory" (St Bernardine of Siena).
How good is your Name, O lord! Grant that its goodness may make me, unworthy creature that I am, capable of loving and praising You with all my heart.
I want to begin and end all my work by invoking Your Name, and to mark all my affections, desires, undertakings, joys and sorrows with this sacred seal. But O Lord, I beg You, above all, imprint Your Name in my heart and mind, so I may always love You and think of You.

Hymn (Vespers)

Jesu dulcis memoria
Dans vera cordis gaudia
Sed super mel et omnia
Ejus dulcis praesentia. Amen

Jesu the very thouht of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast
But sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest. Amen

The Wonders of the Holy Name, By Fr Paul O'Sullivan, TAN Books, Chapter 9 fragments:
WE CAN ASK FOR EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

The Angels are our dearest and best friends and are most ready and able to help us in every difficulty and danger. It is most regrettable that many Catholics do not know, love and ask the Angels for help. The easiest way to do so is to say the Name of Jesus in their honor. This gives them the greatest joy. They in return will help us in all our troubles and keep us safe from many dangers. Let us say the Name of Jesus in honor of all the Angels, but especially in honor of our dear Angel Guardian, who loves us so much.

Our Sweet Lord is present in catholic Churches around the world. During many hours of the busy day and during nights He is forgotten and left alone. We can do much to console and comfort Him by saying, "My Jesus, I love and adore Thee in all the Tabernacles of the world, and I thank Thee with all my heart for remaining on all the altars of the world for love of us" Then say twenty, fifty or more times the Name of Jesus with this intention.

We may do most perfect penance for our sins by offering the Passion and Blood of Jesus many times each day for this intention. The Precious Blood purifies our souls and raises us to a high degree of holiness. It is all so easy. We have only to repeat lovingly, joyfully, reverently, "JESUS, JESUS, JESUS".

If we are sad or cast down, if we are worried with fears and doubts, this Divine Name will give us a delightful peace. If we are weak and wavering, it will give us a new strength and energy. Did not Jesus, when on Earth, go about consoling and comforting all those who were unhappy? He is still doing it every day for those who ask Him.

If we are suffering from weak health, if we are in pain, if some disease is taking hold of our poor bodies, He can cure us. Did He not cure the sick, the lame, the blind, the lepers? Does he not say to us, "Come to Me, all you who labor, and are heavily burdened, and I will refresh you." Many could have good health if they only asked Jesus for it. By all means consult doctors, use remedies, but above all call on Jesus.

The Name of Jesus is the shortest, the easiest, the most powerful of all prayers. Our Lord tells us that anything we ask the Father in His Holy Name, viz., in the name of Jesus, we shall receive. Every time we say "Jesus" we are saying a fervent prayer for all, all that we need.

The Souls in Purgatory. It is very lamentable that so many Christians forget and neglect the souls in Purgatory. It is possible that some of our dear friends are suffering in these dreadful fires, waiting, waiting for our prayers and help - which we could so easily give them. We have pity for the poor whom we see in the streets, for the hungry and for all those who suffer. None suffer so terribly as the souls in Purgatory, for the fire of Purgatory, as St Thomas tells us, is the same as the fire of Hell!
How often, dear Reader, do you pray for the Holy Souls? Days and weeks and perhaps months pass and you do little, perhaps nothing for them!
You can easily help them if you will say frequently the Name of Jesus, because you thus offer for them the Precious Blood and suffering of Jesus Christ, as we have explained.