Thou shall not use the name of the Lord in vain. (Exo. 20:7). The psalmist says to the Lord: Guide my heart to fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart and glorify your name for ever. (Psa. 86: 11-12). Thou shall not use the name of the Lord in vain means that we should respect God’s name and not use it in a careless or profane way. Some examples of breaking this commandment are:

• Using God’s name as a curse word or an exclamation of anger or frustration.
• Using God’s name in a false or dishonest oath or vow.
• Using God’s name in a joke or a mockery of God or his attributes.
• Using God’s name in a magical or superstitious way, such as in spells or charms.

The reason why God gave us this commandment is because his name is holy and powerful and because it represents his character and authority. God wants us to honor and glorify his name, not to abuse or misuse it. God also wants us to trust and obey him, not to lie or swear by his name. God blesses and rewards those who love and reverence his name.

The name of the Lord is worthy of our praise. We can glorify his name in many ways. For example, we glorify his holy name when we refrain from using God’s name in vain. We also exalt his name when we defend his honor against blasphemers and profane swearers, and when, with a Christian courage, by reasonable advice or prudent correction, we check their blasphemous use of God’s name.

Given that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, it also behooves us to have respect for his most holy name. The Lord Jesus comes to our aid by the virtues of his most holy name. It is by the virtues of his divine name and by devotion to the name of Jesus that we become faithful friends of Jesus. Make use of the name of Jesus to support your prayerful requests. Those who invoke the name of Jesus with faith and sincerity are undoubtedly granted graces.

The name of Jesus abates the justice of God so that anyone who calls on the name of Jesus shall be saved. (Rom. 10:13). It is by the virtues in the name of Jesus that we are washed clean of our sins, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and justified and reconciled with the Father. “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (I Cor. 6:11). Thus, devotion to the holy name of Jesus also helps to restore us to the good graces of God and to preserve us in his good graces and friendship.

Let us pray. O Jesus, God of love, by the virtues of your most holy name, help me to overcome all temptations to sin and the malice of the evil one. Help me to spend my time in virtuous acts and in such labors as are acceptable to you; to resist and overcome the motions of my flesh to sloth, gluttony, and other sins; and to render my heart enamored of virtue and surrounded your glorious presence. Help me by your grace to live so that my life may glorify you and so that you may be glorified through me. Glory be to the most gracious, most loving, most kind, most sovereign, most effulgent, most powerful, and most blessed Trinity for the most holy name of Jesus forever and ever. Amen.