"To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living"
- John Henry Newman
About this Quote
In this quote, John Henry Newman stresses the extensive spiritual significance and transformative power of the name of Jesus for those who are deeply religious or "holy." This piece can be broken down into several crucial analyses:
1. ** Symbolic Nourishment: "A name to feed upon" **.
Newman recommends that for holy individuals, the name of Jesus acts as spiritual sustenance. It belongs to divine manna, providing nourishment that sustains the soul. Just as food supplies physical nutrition, the name of Jesus provides spiritual nourishment, strengthening faith, providing comfort, and sustaining the spirit through life's difficulties.
2. ** Source of Ecstasy: "A name to carry" **.
The concept of Jesus' name as one that can "carry" communicates the potential for going beyond normal presence. For devout followers, this stimulates sensations of pleasure, peace, and a profound connection to the divine. It suggests a motion beyond the mundane to an increased spiritual state or experience, where the faithful feel closer to God and separated from worldly concerns.
3. ** Resurrection Power: "His name can raise the dead" **.
This phrase underscores the belief in Jesus' power over life and death, main to Christian faith. Actually, it refers to the scriptural accounts of Jesus raising individuals from the dead. Metaphorically, it talks to the power of faith in Jesus to bring spiritual renewal and improvement, awakening those who are spiritually inactive or lost.
4. ** Transformative Influence: "Transfigure and improve the living" **.
Newman discuss the idea that conjuring up Jesus brings grace and change to followers' lives. It suggests an enhancement of moral and spiritual character, leading to a life marked by charm and virtue. The name of Jesus is seen as a driver for individual change, encouraging individuals to embody the suitables of love, compassion, and holiness.
In essence, Newman's quote encapsulates the main Christian conviction of Jesus' overwhelming, life-altering impact on true believers, stressing both deep individual and communal improvement.
