The older I get, the more I take things in stride. By nature, I am hard working and easy going. People will disappoint you and do things that make you angry, but people are people, and we all make mistakes. Still there are times when I am upset and use the name of the Lord in vain. This is because of my weakness as a sinner, and I am always grievously sorry when the words are uttered.
He is ‘the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.’ There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
When I was in parochial grade school, we were taught to bow our heads when we said the name of God the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit. At Mass a friend of mine noticed the bounce of my head. I always try not to be obvious. My friend who was in the pew behind me noticed and knew immediately what I was doing. It is a sign of respect that I use as a personal penance. Now it is more out of habit, but scripture like today’s first reading brings to light the power in Jesus’ name. Not to mention the rest of the Blessed Trinity. Still, we know from Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments the name of God should not be taken in vain. Peter is adding that salvation is through no other name than Jesus.
On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. They brought them into their presence and questioned them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.
What did Peter and John know that the leaders did not know?
Peter and John knew the power of Jesus name. The arrogant elders knew only their own self-interest and desires. Sirach 3:17-20 My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find mercy in the sight of God. For great is the power of the Lord; by the humble he is glorified.
Who would be humbler than Jesus?
We see the power of Jesus who was humble even to the point of death. It would seem to me that the less I have of me in the equation and more of the name of Jesus in my life, the humbler I will be and less likely that I would use the name of Jesus in any way other than respect.
The power of Jesus name comes from one source. He is ‘the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.’ His sacrifice gives me the opportunity for salvation. I appreciate this more today than yesterday.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Pray for Cancer victims and their Caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the Salvation and physical and emotional health of the Ukrainian and Russian people.
