Angels & Dragons XVII: The Power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

January is the Month of the Most Holy Name of JESUS, and the name of JESUS is the most powerful weapon against “the dragon and his angels (Rev.12:7).” This special feast is celebrated on January 3, and it is associated with the Circumcision of JESUS (Lk. 2:21) when Joseph officially gives Him, “the name of JESUS, because He will save His people from their sins (Mt. 1:21).”

Devotion to the most holy and powerful name of JESUS was from the very beginning when JESUS was teaching His apostles about healing and deliverance,

“Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” “Do not stop him.” JESUS replied, “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me…”

Throughout church history, devotion to the most holy name of JESUS has continued and saints like Bernadine of Sienna, Vincent Ferrer, and Leonard of Port Maurice performed many great miracles in the name of JESUS. At times, sick were healed by putting a card under the pillow with the name of JESUS, or simply by speaking the name of JESUS with faith the person was healed. The name of JESUS was also placed on the front door to protect a home

On February 25, 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans, and it spread throughout the church. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII officially extended the feast of the Holy Name to the entire Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains why the name of JESUS is so important to our faith and worship,

“His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies…The invocation of the holy name of JESUS is the simplest way of praying always. When the holy name is repeated often by a humbly attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty phrases, but holds fast to the word and “brings forth fruit with patience.” This prayer is possible “at all times” because it is not one occupation among others but the only occupation: that of loving God, which animates and transfigures every action in Christ JESUS ”
(CCC #2666 – 2667).

I personally have witnessed many miracles of healing and deliverance through the invocation of the most holy name of JESUS in the streets of Austin, TX but most especially on 6^th street and Congress. This has occurred while the 45 men in diaconal formation and the two formators (Deacon Dan Lupo & I) have been practicing St. Paul Street Evangelization with Steve Dawson (founder) and Adam Janke (CEO). The miracle in the video of a man with a cane who limped because he had been shot in the leg and the bullet was still lodged in his muscle is similar to the miracle JESUS performs in the gospel.

“’Can you see anything?’ JESUS asked. The man looked up and said, ‘I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.’ Once again JESUS placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and when he opened them his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly (Mk.8:23-25).”

Why does it take several times for JESUS to perform this miracle? I would say it was not because of any lack in JESUS, as if He didn’t have the power to heal the blind man all at once. It was not because this man’s blindness was a particularly difficult case. It was not because JESUS tried and failed the first time. It is because JESUS wants to build our faith slowly at our pace as with the apostles during the three years of journeying with Him, and they said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Lk.17:5) or in Mk.9:24 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me, help my unbelief!’”

Many chronic illnesses are not only physical but spiritual in nature which means that forgiveness or some type of inner healing is also involved so that a full and complete healing occurs. This is where Dr. Bob Schuchts and the JPII Healing Center out of Tallahassee, Florida really excel and have taught us so, so much.

Yes the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “He has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of (1503).” Yes, all sickness is evil as the church document from Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith explains,

“Although sickness may have positive consequences as a demonstration of the faithfulness of the just person, and for repairing the justice that is violated by sin, and also because it may cause a sinner to reform and set out on the way of conversion, it remains, however, an evil (Instructions of Prayers for Healing).”

(The one exception is when JESUS appears to a victim soul and asks if they would accept to suffer for the salvation of souls; however, they are free to accept or decline. Of course these are far and few chosen souls.)

On December 15, 2018 we again witnessed many healings in the name of JESUS. Here are two examples. Alex had just been operated and you can still see the bandage on his head. He was in great physical pain. We met him on 6^th street and asked him if he wanted prayer in the name of JESUS to alleviate the pain, and he said “yes.” It took a couple of prayer sessions in the most holy name of JESUS, but in the end the pain was completely gone.

Then we met up with Jessie on Congress Street who explained that he had a great anxiety. We asked him from 1-10 with 10 being the worst what is your level of anxiety. He said, “10.” We prayed in the most holy name of JESUS, and he said it was now at a level 4. We prayed again, and he started to smile from ear to ear and said it was now a 1.

He was filled with joy saying, “I am healed.” “Thank you.” We said, “Not us but the most powerful and most Holy Name of JESUS!”

It is not only sickness, but demons too must bow at the name of JESUS.

Fr. Gabriel Amorth, Vatican’s Exorcist states, “It is only in His name that we can win and free ourselves from the enemy of our salvation, Satan. At the end of the most difficult exorcisms, when I am confronted with total demonic possession, I pray the Christological hymn of the Letter of Paul to the Philippians (2:6-11).

When I speak the words “so that all beings in the heavens, on earth, and in the underworld should bend the knee at the name of JESUS”, I kneel, everyone present kneels, and always the one possessed by the demons is also compelled to kneel. It is a moving and powerful moment. I always feel that all the legions of the angels are surrounding us, kneeling at the name of JESUS.” (An Exorcist Tells His Story)