Fr. Voigt, "The Name Above All Names: Jesus."
Our earth is concerned about power. Power comes from various sources: the sun, the water, the wind, fire, people, and ultimately God. These sources of power have one goal: to serve God and man. Many in our ecological mania believe that the earth's energy and eco system are delicate and so we must conserve the gifts God has placed in our world.
Hence they will argue that the most important attitude is the conservative mind set that saves the waters or the oil.
On the other hand there is a contingent of scientists that notice that runners never get their second wind until they use up their first wind. They recognize that new sources of energy and power show up in unsuspecting places. Consider all the energy and power which can be harvested by turbines under the Golden Gate Bridge which experiences millions of gallons of water rushing in and out of the San Francisco Bay daily. So there is more and more evidence that power surrounds us and we need only discover them.
Finally, we must consider a third source of power that is escaping the notice of everyone and is the answer to all of our problems today. Problems that affect the environment of society, the home and the political arena have solution. That solution has been calling out to men for over 2000 years and it is the Name of Jesus. In this Name the source of all power and energy come to our aid. Consider this social reality: as sanctity declines thus energy declines. Who has done more for children than a Don Bosco? Who has done more for the lepers than Fr. Damien? Who has been at the forefront of every social need be it education, health care or concern for the poor? It has been Jesus in the form of religious
orders, dioceses, priests, nuns and brothers. Jesus's all of them have shown the presence of God working through their multiplied hands.
Hence the Name of Jesus wields the power necessary to change our world. In His name we have the Light of the World crushing the darkness of Satan and his minions. His light comes on in the life of each one of us who have experienced the forgiveness of our sins through holy confession. His light coming to us through spiritual reading, conferences, and the example of holy parents and priests leads us to the Beatific Vision. Jesus is the Light of the World.
In the Name of Jesus there is strength to deal with all the problems that affect our families and our society. Troubles attack us and we turn to Jesus. Use His Name: Jesus thank you for this suffering. Let me carry my cross in the manner you carried Yours for me. Turning to Jesus when we discover that we have cancer; yielding to His Will when we have had an accident; knowing that He is sanctifying us through His Cross brings us the power to overcome our weak human nature with His divine nature. What strength we receive in the Name of Jesus.
In His Name we are healed. The ointment of the Name of Jesus soothes us immediately in our frail human nature. How many priests and hospital sisters and brothers can attest to spiritual healings coming in the midst of sickness. The spiritual healing prepares the way for the physical healing to come. We must take care of the interior before we can heal the exterior. Consider the exorcisms and how the healing of the soul from Satan's gripe brings about a new strength in the individual soul to avoid all sin in the future and to give praise to God for its deliverance. Yes, this is the power of the Name of Jesus, the name given before his conception in the womb of the Blessed Mother. The name chosen by the Father beforehand and at this name all knees above the heavens, on the earth and below the earth must bend in honor of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity Who has taken upon Himself our flesh and blood. He so loved us that He obeyed the will of God the Father to shed every drop of His Precious Blood for the salvation of my soul. Praise the Name of Jesus.
In this new year call upon His Name for everything: thank Him for your work, your sleep, your meals, your discussions, your family, for everything possible and you will experience His Presence and His Love. May Jesus grant you a Blessed and Holy Year 2017. Prayer for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary which is so desired by her divine Son, Jesus.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Richard Voigt