Daily Catholic Lectio. Sat, 3 January ‘26. Name and Significance

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sat, 3 January ‘26

Holy Name of Jesus, Feast

1 John 2:29-3:6. John 1:29-34

Name and Significance

Today the Church invites us to rejoice in the Holy Name of Jesus. This is not a devotion to a sound or a syllable, but to a Person, a mission, and a new beginning given to humanity.

Scripture speaks with clarity about the power of this Name. Peter proclaims before the council: “There is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Paul adds: “God gave him the name that is above every name” (Phil 2:9). 

The biblical meaning of a name

First, a name expresses identity. Isaac means “he laughed”; his name holds the story of God’s surprising promise. To know the name is to know the person.

Second, a name reveals mission. Moses means “drawn from the water”—and he becomes the one who draws God’s people out of slavery. A name points to purpose.

Third, a name marks a new beginning. When Saul becomes Paul, his life turns outward in mission. A changed name signals a transformed life.

The name Jesus—from Joshua, “The Lord saves”—contains all three. It names who he is, what he does, and what he brings: salvation. In him, humanity receives a new beginning.

“Here is the Lamb of God”

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist does not speak about himself. He points and names: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” By naming Jesus, John reveals his identity and mission in one phrase. Jesus is the one who removes sin, not merely condemns it. He is the one on whom the Spirit rests and remains.

The first reading deepens this truth. Those who live in Christ do not remain in sin because they share his life. To belong to Jesus is to be shaped by his Name—to live as children of God.

Three lessons for us today

First, to ask in the name of Jesus. Jesus himself promises: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it” (Jn 14:13). To pray in his name is not to add a formula, but to align our desire with his saving will. When our prayer carries his name, it carries his heart.

Second, to keep alive the memory of the name of Jesus. A name is memory. When a name is forgotten, the person fades. To remember the name of Jesus is to remember his mercy, his way of life, his cross, and his resurrection. Gathering in his name means continuing his identity and mission in the world.

Third, to be responsible for our own name. Scripture says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Prov 22:1). Each of us carries a name—given and earned. Our words, choices, and relationships either honour that name or empty it. As those who bear the name of Christ, we are called to live in a way worthy of it.

Conclusion

Today we honour the Holy Name of Jesus—not only with our lips, but with our lives. His name saves us; his name gathers us; his name sends us.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy