THE GIFT OF GOD IN JESUS

THE, GIFT OF GOD IN JESUS
October 2023


This month, with the grace of God, I will mark another birthday. As a gift to myself - and I hope to you as well - I want to reflect on the gift of God in Jesus. Let's start with a few verses from God's word.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be expiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10).

"All that the Father gives me will come to me; and the one who comes to me, I will not ever cast out" (John 6:37).

DEVOTION TO JESUS

Many years ago, I heard a talk by Fr. Benedict Groeschel - of happy memory - in which he asked the question, "When did devotion to Jesus begin?" The answer is found in Acts 7, with the stoning of St. Stephen, the first martyr. As Stephen gave testimony to Jesus, he was filled with the Holy Spirit "and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55). While being stoned to death, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). That is the first recorded prayer addressed to Jesus after his death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father.

Since then, devotion to Jesus has taken many forms, for example, to his Holy Name, Sacred Heart, Precious Body and Blood, Holy Face, Sacred Wounds, Holy Passion and Cross, and to Christ the King - to name just a few. These might be considered the main devotions to Jesus. Let's reflect on them briefly.

THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Jesus is the name "which is above every name" (Phil. 2:9). All creatures must bend the knee before the name of Jesus (cf. Phil. 2:10). There is no salvation in any other name (cf. Acts 4:12) and there is healing in his name (cf. Acts 4:30). The name of Jesus is all-powerful and brings hope, peace, and joy. Praised be the Holy Name of Jesus!

THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

The Heart of Jesus, pierced for us on the cross (cf. John 19:34), is the source of living water for us  (cf. John 7:37). The Heart of Jesus is a burning furnace of love, life, and holiness for all generations. Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

THE HOLY BODY AND PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS

The Lord Jesus gives us himself as "the bread which came down from heaven" (John 6:65). "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:53-54).

The Blood of Jesus, shed at his passion and death on the cross, is our "ticket to heaven." Through the Precious Blood of Jesus, we receive our redemption, forgiveness, salvation, reconciliation, purification, sanctification, access, and victory. Receiving the Holy Eucharist is receiving the whole Jesus - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. It is a way of personally appropriating his Paschal Mystery. Blessed be the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist!

THE HOLY CROSS OF JESUS

The Cross of Jesus is a crossroads for humanity. Before the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, mankind was lost and in bondage due to original sin. Afterward, we were saved and set free. By dying on the cross, Jesus became a curse for us (cf. Gal. 3:13). Jesus, though he had no sin, became sin for us (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21). This is why St. Paul said he only wanted to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified (cf. 1 Cor. 1:23;2:2). With Paul,  then, let us glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection (cf. Gal. 6:14). We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you; for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world!

THE SACRED WOUNDS OF JESUS

Among the beautiful lines in the Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)  prayer is this one: "In Your Wounds, hide me." When Jesus received the wounds in his hands, feet, side, and all over his body, they were sources of excruciating, unimaginable pain. But now those marks are signs of his victory. In the Paschal Vigil Light Service, they are referred to as his "holy and glorious wounds" - each wound a sign and reminder of his infinite love. "By his wounds, we are healed" (1 Peter 2:24). Hide us, Lord, in your Sacred Wounds!

THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, is "fairer than the sons of men" (cf. Psalm 45:2). However , Isaiah prophesied that in his sufferings "no attractiveness nor beauty is found in him" (Isaiah 53). And this is certainly confirmed by the image on the Shroud of Turin.

Although his face is that of the "Man of Sorrows," the face of Jesus is also that of "true God of true God." As St. Paul says, "For it is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).

At the Transfiguration, a preview of his resurrected glory, the face of Jesus "shone like the sun" (cf. Matt. 17:2).

And in the Book of Revelation, John describes Jesus' face as the "sun shining in its full strength" (Rev. 1:16). It is an interesting note that St. Therese of Lisieux picked two names in religious life. She was known as Sr. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face of Jesus. May the Holy Face of Jesus be ever honored and glorified!

JESUS CHRIST IS THE LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS

Jesus said, "All authority has been given to me" (Matt. 28:20). At the Annunciation, Jesus was described as being a King (cf. Luke 1:32-33). At his crucifixion, the charge placed over his head also called him a King (cf. John 19:19). Jesus is called "Lord of lords and King of kings" twice in the Book of Revelation (17:14; 19:16). One of my favorite prayers is: Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat (Christ Conquers, Christ Rules, Christ Commands).

In the end, all things will finally be subject to Christ and he will hand over the kingdom to God the Father, then God will be "all in all" (cf. 1 Cor. 15:28). Praised be Jesus Christ, Lord of lords and King of kings!

UNABASHED

As I was writing this, the word "unabashed" kept coming to mind. It means "not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed." I kept thinking that, despite my weakness and sin, I want to be unabashed in loving Jesus, praising Jesus, and proclaiming Jesus. I realize that only with the grace of the Holy Spirit can I do that, and I pray that the Lord in his mercy will grant that to me and to all who desire it.

Thank you for allowing me to give myself this birthday gift of reflecting in print on my favorite devotions to Jesus. I hope you found it to be of some value as well.

Lord Jesus, show us the way to the Father, that we might call out, "Abba, Father." Lord Jesus, pour out on us your own Holy Spirit - the promise of the Father and the power from on high. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen!