The Sunday Sermon Archive

The Circumcision

Dear Friend,

There is no other name by which we must be saved. This is the name that is above every other name. This is the name before which every knee in Heaven and on earth must bend.

This most holy and sacred name brings forth our hope and salvation. It should fill every heart with love and gratitude. Yet, how frequently is it used carelessly (in vain). How often it is called upon in perjury? How many use this name as justification of their new "religion" which they obstinately set up is opposition to His. So many call upon this name but He said: not all those who say Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

False religions abound that call themselves "Christian" and followers of Jesus Christ, but their actions show the falsity of their words. How many follow a "Christian" religion that allows divorce and remarriage when Jesus Christ has said very clearly: "What God has joined together let no man put asunder."? How many follow a "Christian" religion that refuses to accept the very words of Jesus Christ: "This is My Body; This is My Blood"? How many "Christians" promote and live in the sins of adultery, fornication, sodomy etc.? They belie the very holy name they call upon. They use this most holy name to promote their most unholy endeavors.

And then how often is our Lord's name taken in vain, and used in common and vulgar speech and curses?

Has mankind lost its senses?! Do we think that we can blaspheme this most holy name and still be pleasing to Him?

To insult someone's name is the same as insulting the person. Every abuse of His name is an abuse of Him and His graces.

This name was chosen for Him from the very beginning _ even before His Incarnation. It is from all of Eternity.

The greatest sins against this most holy name are committed not by those who know not God, but by those who claim to know, love and serve Him. The second of His Ten Commandments: Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. This comes right after the commandment against idolatry, and is very much related to it. For, what do they do who use Our Lord's name in vain, but set up a false god in the place of the true One? They take that which is holy and sacred and make it profane. They bring God down below themselves. And in doing this they place themselves above Him. They thus make gods of themselves. For the only one who could possibly be above that which is so sacred and holy is God Himself. But, God would never abuse His Own sacred name. Yet, this is exactly what many men do. They attempt to make themselves greater than God, by doing what even God Himself would never do.

Where are the true Christians? Where are those who love this holy name? The number of true believers and of true lovers of God seems to be very small.

All those mentioned above who disregard or twist Our Lord's words are obviously not lovers of Him or His words. Yet, He tells us that he who loves Him keeps His words. Thumping a bible or usurping the words of God for one's own purposes does not make one a follower of Christ.

The follower of Christ hears His voice, recognizes Him, loves Him, keeps His word, and holds His name most sacred.

One can only accomplish this in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church which He founded. Outside of this there is no salvation because there is no Christ. And our only hope, our only salvation is in this most holy name of Jesus Christ.

But, among those who have the true Faith, how many are there who have such love for this holy name? How many bow their heads or bend their knees when they say or hear this most sacred name? And how many on the other hand allow themselves to fall in to the trap of imitating the world in the abuse of this most holy name?

Let us be sure to imitate the saints who had so much love and devotion for this holy name that they would never fail to bow their heads and to speak with the greatest love and devotion when they uttered this most beautiful and powerful name. Some collected even the smallest scrap of paper on which this name was written and kept it as a most wonderful treasure.

Remember that this holy name causes every knee to bow even in Hell. The devils fear and tremble before this most holy and powerful name. We would be foolish not to do willingly what even the demons are compelled to do of necessity.

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