The Name of Jesus
Fr. Donald Macdonald, SMM
The Name of Jesus
O ver 600 years ago in the north of England, Richard Rolle wrote to a young woman, Margaret Kirkby, who wanted to give herself wholly to God. He began clearing the ground. He warned of the risks of deceiving herself and of being deceived on the path to God. Her own imperfect self, the world about her and the devil can do that easily.
Genuine religion is from the heart, so integrity is essential. He tells her several times to try to be in fact what she appears to be. Prayer, discipline, fasting and the practice of the virtues, if done with discretion, can help her prepare to receive the love of God.
Above all he advises Margaret to make the name of Jesus her own. There is the dynamic to bring her to God. Much better to give herself to the love and loving of Jesus, who will genuinely love and forever serve her, than be in a world apart from Jesus, where she is worth loving but perhaps not loved. This is not self-interest but reality as glimpsed by a Christian.
TO JESUS
From the beginning, therefore, “fasten your entire being to Jesus, that your life be good and pleasing . . . turn yourself entirely to your Lord Jesus Christ . . . always upwards like fire . . . climb towards Jesus, your love and service growing in him . . that the love of your heart be ever upwards . . . until your heart be established in the love of Jesus Christ, so that you think you are always looking at him, whether you speak or not” (The Form of Living, 2, 3, 5, 7).
In time, “your soul is Jesus loving, Jesus thinking, Jesus longing . . only as you breathe you desire him, singing to him, burning for him, resting in him . . so your thought turns into song and melody” (8).
This is not a grace given on the first day, but Rolle has experienced it himself. If Margaret wants to make a melody of her life in Christ and reach this too, “this name Jesus, fasten it so firmly in your heart that it never leaves your thoughts” (9). If, through force of habit she says ‘Jesus,’ “it will be a joy to hear, honey in her mouth, and melody in her heart” (9). Her being comes to sing the name Jesus as she warms to him in love.
TRUE DEVOTION
Although there are centuries between Richard Rolle and ourselves, surely his advice is worth following today. If devotion to the name of Jesus is medieval that is our misfortune. Much may have changed over the years but the person of Jesus has not. Whether it be Richard Rolle or the classic medieval hymn, ’Jesu dulcis memoria’, or earlier still, St. Paul in awe before “the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phils. 2:9-10), what each saw with the insight of faith is valid still.
In this context, the Church, in recent years starved of a devotional life, has been helped by being open to the traditions of the Orthodox Church. The ‘Jesus Prayer’, often reflected in icons, has given devotional strength to much of the contemporary Church. Today, many are indebted to that tradition for a recovery of a true devotion to the name of Jesus as an expression of a living faith in God. The name of Jesus, surely, is for everyone in every age.
Christ Carrying His Cross: Italian Painter: El Greco: 1580
The painting resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.
From the beginning, therefore, “fasten your entire being to Jesus, that your life be good and pleasing . . . turn yourself entirely to your Lord Jesus Christ . . . always upwards like fire . . . climb towards Jesus, your love and service growing in him . . that the love of your heart be ever upwards . . . until your heart be established in the love of Jesus Christ, so that you think you are always looking at him, whether you speak or not”
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AT ONE WITH JESUS
Those open to the influence of St. Louis Marie de Montfort should see this too. “Sound devotion to Our Blessed Lady . . . is a way of reaching Jesus perfectly, loving him tenderly, and serving him faithfully” (True Devotion 62). Jesus is the attraction, but Montfort believes that Mary is THE way to him of all in the Church, because, literally, she is at one with him as is no one else. This is why she can show us the authentic Jesus.
“The most perfect of all devotions is that which conforms, unites and consecrates us most completely to Jesus. Now of all God’s creatures Mary is the most conformed to Jesus” (T.D. 120). The conclusion, Montfort believes, is inescapable – open ourselves wholly to Mary that she may guide us to an active faith in the living Jesus. “Keep Jesus in mind and greet Mary often, both day and night” (9) advises Rolle.
MARY’S HEART
Everything real lodges in the heart. Rolle wrote to Margaret Kirkby to help her open her heart to God. Genuine love centers there. “What then can we do to make our hearts worthy of him (Jesus)? . . . bring Mary into our abode . . . the surest, easiest, shortest and holiest of all means of possessing Jesus Christ” .(Love of The Eternal Wisdom 211-212).
What this means in practice is easily seen. At the peak moment of reception of Holy Communion, for example, “close your eyes and recollect yourself. Then usher Jesus into the Heart of Mary” (TD 270). This is superbly practical advice to someone who wants to make of his or her life a melody singing the name of Jesus. This is how it all began. The Word first lodged in the heart and person of Mary and so came among us.
Self-evidently, Jesus has never left Mary’s heart. If I invite her to make her home with me, she is there to receive her Son and nourish my faith. “You are giving him to His Mother who will receive him with great love, give him the place of honor, adore him profoundly, show him perfect love, embrace him intimately in spirit and in truth, and perform many offices for him of which we . . . know nothing” (TD 270).
Why not live that pattern all day? What is true of Holy Communion can be true of every moment. ‘J-E-S-U-S,’ as I breathe in and out in adoration and wonder, is easy and uncomplicated to do, and in time can become a reflex action. It can be instinctive as breathing, giving objective expression to my baptism.
It is particularly encouraging to believe that it reflects a richer wonder. “Remember, the more you let Mary act . . . the more Jesus will be glorified . . . listen to Jesus and Mary in peace and silence – with no desire to see, taste or feel – then the more freedom you will give to Mary to act in Jesus’ name and the more Jesus will act in Mary . . . the just man or woman lives everywhere by faith”. (TD 273).
HELP USHER JESUS INTO THE HEART OF MARY
Anyone who has ever given seven days in an attempt to pray or live an authentic Christian life, has found it was no emotional trip. Escapism is no path to anywhere and certainly not to God. To attempt to live in faith – ‘with no desire to see, taste or feel’ – is of a very different order. Personal, institutional and environmental sin as well, can really discourage. Richard Rolle is surely right in emphasizing the treasure we have in the name of Jesus. Experience shows that it is carried in a very frail vessel.
We need help to keep it safe. “To be . . . wiser than Solomon we should place in Mary’s care all that we possess and the treasure of treasures, Jesus Christ, that she may keep him for us. We are surrounded by too many experienced enemies . . . and we have had too many sad experiences. Let us be distrustful of our own wisdom and fervor” . (LEW 221).
Our Lady gives now as she has always given, “the treasure of treasures, Jesus Christ.” One with her through baptism in her Son, we can savor this treasure too.
FOOTNOTE
The Form of Living, in, English Writings of Richard Rolle, edited by H. E. Allen. All references refer to chapters.
