9781644135945

The Light of the World
The lessons at Matins and the Epistle for this feast, taken from the Acts of the Apostles,
relate the cure of a lame man wrought by St. Peter in the name of Jesus. “But Peter said:
Silver and gold I have none; but what I have I give thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, arise and walk” (Acts 3:6). Peter seizes this opportunity to announce the
name of Jesus to the people and to show them its great power. The people are amazed,
but Peter hastens to assure them that by no excellence or power of his own is this miracle
wrought. He attributes all to the power of the name of Jesus. “Be it known to you all and
to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom
you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by Him this man standeth here
before you whole” (Acts 4:10).
The feast of the holy name of our Savior is a day of mercy and forgiveness. The Offertory
instructs us to pray, “I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will
glorify Thy name forever; for Thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild and plenteous in mercy to
all that call upon Thee.”
Prayer
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast,
But sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.
Nor voice can sing nor heart can frame
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art,
How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but His loved ones know.
Jesus our only joy be Thou
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now
And through eternity.
Amen.
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