The greatest disappointment we could experience is the loss of Christ

,The greatest disappointment we could experience is the loss of Christ

We can forget many things in life that never had a hold on our desire to achieve power, fame, or wealth, but it is our soul’s salvation that somehow slips out of focus and cries out for solace.  Take a moment and analyze the thoughts that appear to convict your every effort to get ahead and end up with less than what you had before you started.  

As Christians the premise of our growth in spirituality relies completely on Jesus Christ and the presence of his Holy Spirit who lives within each of us.  Unfortunately, too many believers fail to accept the reality of this necessary requirement that can only become life-giving when each person reaches out for the grace that comes through faith.  

How many Catholics have heard the name of God’s Son spoken as Jesus?  We know that name really gets us in touch with the essence of our Savior who is Christ.  It is a necessary element when describing the Person of the Holy Trinity that suffered, died, and rose to accomplish their most crucial plan to forgive and welcome all sinners back home to eternal truth.  For some unknown reason it was difficult for us Catholics to call Christ using his given name, Jesus, as mandated by the Angel Gebriel to Mary.  “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.”  (Lk 1: 31).  

Suppose my mother became pregnant and said my son will be an electrician.  But what is his name?  How do we address this son so all others know how to get in touch with him?  So it is with the Son of God who will assume humanity and answer to his name, Jesus, given by God through the words of the Angel Gabriel.

Get used to reaching out either in speech or through our prayers when addressing the divine Son of God, Jesus.  We know he will still respond to Christ or Son of God, but he has a name that his Father gave him; Jesus!

By natural reason man can know God with certainty, on the basis of his works.  But there is another order of knowledge, which man cannot possibly arrive at by his own powers:  the order of divine Revelation.  Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed himself and given himself to man.  This he does by revealing the mystery, his plan of loving goodness, formed from all eternity in Christ, for the benefit of all men.  God has fully revealed this plan by sending us his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  (CCC 50).

The name Jesus means “God saves.”  The child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus. “For he will save his people from their sins” “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  (CCC 452).

It certainly will not mean Catholics are Protestants when calling the Son of God by his name Jesus.  However, it has a way of making our connection to Jesus more personal in the same way if someone calls you using your given name rather than “hey you.” 

Ralph B. Hathaway