The word “name” appears four times in our readings today: first in the Book of Malachi, and three times in the Gospel from Luke.  In all four, the name is that of the Lord God.  Name means identity.  Our task as Christians is to be sure that we can be identified with Jesus on the day of trial.  Others who “claim” the name of Jesus falsely (impostors, empty saviors, trendy fads) may sound very convincing.  As our Gospel warns, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name … Do not follow them!” 

     By my perseverance to identify with Jesus, I hope to avoid the loss of my soul and to retain the promise of life eternal.  St Ignatius Loyola held strongly to this desire.  One way he tried to persevere in a humble fidelity to Jesus was to use His name with love and intention at every turn.  He wanted the first Jesuits to identify with Jesus in all things.

     Ignatius wanted to honor and fear the power and name of the Lord.  So, when the time came to gather the Society of early companions with him (Xavier, Faber, Lainez, etc.) Ignatius chose the name of Jesus.  Unlike Dominic and Benedict before him, Ignatius Loyola wanted the name of his Order to be identified with Jesus (the Society of Jesus).

     Ignatius also used the name of Jesus as a public display or advertisement.  He would use a 3-letter abbreviation of the name of Jesus on all his works:  the 3 Greek letters IHS.  The full name of Jesus in Greek is spelled, IHSOUS.  On the heading of his writings and on the covers of his books and on religious objects, Loyola would inscribe these first three letters.  Ignatius used them on his official seal and place them in obvious view for others to see: we are identified with Jesus humble yet powerful.  We have put on Christ.

     In later years as the Jesuits travelled and built their own churches around the world, they would adorn the buildings inside and out with the symbol of Jesus name:  IHS as it might appear in the rays of a sunburst (see front cover).  Our own church has this name and sunburst on display in our front entrance and most obviously above the tabernacle.  When you see the three letters IHS inside the sunburst, you can identify with those described in the first reading today from the book of Malachi: “for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.”  

     The name of Jesus heals us, warms us, encourages us, and saves us.  In fact, the Hebrew translation of the name Jesus is Yeshua, meaning “God saves.”

On his own coat of arms, Pope Francis bears the name of Jesus, the three letters IHS, as a way to identify his acts and intentions with our Savior, and to signify his own Jesuit identity.  Many Jesuit schools and colleges do the same in their logo and university seals.

     You too can place that Holy Name on your letters, emails, walls, and device screens.  When you see His name in Greek or English, utter a small “thank you” for all He has done to save us from the final trail.  Thus, you too identify with Him in the work of salvation.  Like Ignatius Loyola, you too are a companion of Jesus in the way you speak, write, pray, work, and act.

PS:  For further information about the IHS symbol and other symbols of our salvation, Google the word “Christogram” and learn about the various ways our Catholic tradition has honored this sacred name.  For example: XP, INRI, ICXC, AΩ, and others.

Fr. Patrick Fairbanks, S.J., Pastor