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Gospel Reflection – January 2, 2026
At the Name of Jesus, Every Knee Should Bend
I’ve always been struck by a custom in English-speaking countries: during Mass, every time the name of Jesus or Jesus Christ is mentioned, many people bow their heads. It’s almost an automatic gesture, yet deeply sincere. I’ve also noticed that it’s very rare for them to name a child “Jesus”—though they use “Jesse,” which is quite close. These customs are ways of “bending the knee”; in other words, they are ways of recognizing the divinity of the Name. It is a sign of respect and reverence, but it goes even deeper than that.
The angel gave Jesus His name during the Annunciation to Mary, at the very moment of the Incarnation (“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus”). In Semitic culture, a name is the same as one’s entire identity. That is why the name of God could not be spoken—because to say it would be like trying to take ownership of His identity. Jesus means “God saves.” Therefore, to speak that name is to recognize, over and over again, that we have been saved and set free by His blood. Bending the knee (or bowing the head) before that reality is only natural. It is an act of giving thanks, of proclaiming, and of declaring that we rely entirely on the salvation we have been given.
The early Christians suffered and died for “the Name.” Everything they did was in the name of Jesus. This is because the name represents the whole person. To act for the sake of His name is to act for the sake of Him—His entire being. We Christians have always started every action this way. As the old catechism used to say: upon waking up, at the start of the day, before leaving the house, when starting work, when passing by a church, before meals, at bedtime, and in every moment of need, temptation, or danger.
Saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” is our way of saying that everything is connected to Him. It means everything depends on Him, that we can do nothing on our own, and that we need His strength every single moment of our lives. Living this way brings salvation at every turn; it keeps the connection to His saving grace alive and constant. It also keeps us mindful that we are creatures who depend completely on our Savior.