No other name under heaven has been given to men by which we can be saved.
One Saint Bernardine's famous homilies:
The name of Jesus is the glory of preachers, because the
shining splendor of that name causes his word to be proclaimed and heard. And
how do you think such an immense, sudden and dazzling light of faith came into
the world, if not because Jesus was preached? Was it not through the brilliance
and sweet savor of this name that God called us into his marvelous light? When
we have been enlightened, and in that same light behold the light of heaven,
rightly may the apostle Paul say to us: Once you were darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord; walk as children of light.
So this name must be proclaimed, that it may shine out and
never be suppressed. But it must not be preached by someone with sullied mind
or unclean lips, but stored up and poured out from a chosen vessel. That is why
our Lord said of Saint Paul: He is a chosen instrument of mine, the vessel of
my choice, to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of
Israel. In this chosen vessel there was to be a drink more pleasing than earth
ever knew, offered to all mankind for a price they could pay, so that they
would be drawn to taste of it. Poured into other chosen vessels, it would grow
and radiate splendor. For our Lord said: He is to carry my name.
When a fire is lit to clear a field, it burns off all the
dry and useless weeds and thorns. When the sun rises and darkness is dispelled,
robbers, night-prowlers and burglars hide away. So when Paul's voice was raised
to preach the Gospel to the nations, like a great clap of thunder in the sky,
his preaching was a blazing fire carrying all before it. It was the sun rising
in full glory. Infidelity was consumed by it, false beliefs fled away, and the
truth appeared like a great candle lighting the whole world with its brilliant
flame.
By word of mouth, by letters, by miracles and by the example
of his own life, Saint Paul bore the name of Jesus wherever he went. He praised
the name of Jesus at all times, but never more than when bearing witness to his
faith. Moreover, the Apostle did indeed carry this name before the Gentiles and
kings and the sons of Israel as a light to enlighten all nations. And this was
his cry wherever he journeyed: The night is passing away, the day is at hand.
Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let
us conduct ourselves honorably as in the day. Paul himself showed forth the
burning and shining light set upon a candlestick, everywhere proclaiming Jesus,
and him crucified.
And so the Church, the bride of Christ strengthened by his
testimony, rejoices with the psalmist, singing: "God, from my youth you have
taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. The psalmist exhorts her
to do this, as he says: Sing to the Lord, and bless his name, proclaim his
salvation day after day. And this salvation is Jesus, her savior."
