THE TWELVE CLIPS OF CHRISTMAS: DAY 9: JOHANN GAMBOLPUTTY

I’m pretty sure there’s a law somewhere which states that every blog must reference Monty Python at least once a year. That being the case, let’s just go ahead and get it out of the way right here at the beginning.

So why do I bring up Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern – schplenden – schlitter – crasscrenbon – fried – digger – dingle – dangle – dongle – dungle – burstein – von – knacker – thrasher – apple – banger – horowitz – ticolensic – grander – knotty – spelltinkle – grandlich – grumblemeyer – spelterwasser – kurstlich – himbleeisen – bahnwagen – gutenabend – bitte – ein – nürnburger – bratwustle – gerspurten – mitz – weimache – luber – hundsfut – gumberaber – shönedanker – kalbsfleisch – mittler - aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm?

Well, because we’ve just had the the optional feast day for the Holy Name of Jesus, that’s why. And as we’ve discussed before a couple of times, over the course of the years Jesus has collected a lot of names for himself, as exemplified by the impressive list found in the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, names such as Lord – Christ - God the Father of Heaven - God the Son, Redeemer of the world - God the Holy Spirit - Holy Trinity, one God - Jesus, Son of the living God - splendor of the Father - brightness of eternal light -King of glory - sun of justice - Son of the Virgin Mary - most amiable - most admirable - the mighty God - Father of the world to come - angel of great counsel - most powerful - most patient - most obedient - meek and humble of heart - lover of chastity - lover of us - God of peace - author of life - example of virtues - zealous lover of souls - our God - our refuge - father of the poor - treasure of the faithful - good Shepherd - true light - eternal wisdom - infinite goodness - our way and our life - joy of Angels - King of the Patriarchs - Master of the Apostles - teacher of the Evangelists - strength of Martyrs - light of Confessors - purity of Virgins - crown of Saints – Lamb of God.

So if nothing else, Jesus has the name thing in common with Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern – schplenden – schlitter – crasscrenbon – fried – digger – dingle – dangle – dongle – dungle – burstein – von – knacker – thrasher – apple – banger – horowitz – ticolensic – grander – knotty – spelltinkle – grandlich – grumblemeyer – spelterwasser – kurstlich – himbleeisen – bahnwagen – gutenabend – bitte – ein – nürnburger – bratwustle – gerspurten – mitz – weimache – luber – hundsfut – gumberaber – shönedanker – kalbsfleisch – mittler - aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm.

Of course, if you don’t have time to go through a long litany, simply sticking with the name of Jesus is okay too. It is, after all, as the Catechism notes, “the one name that contains everything…  The name ‘Jesus’ contains all: God and man and the whole economy of creation and salvation. To pray ‘Jesus’ is to invoke him and to call him within us. His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies. Jesus is the Risen One, and whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave himself up for him… The invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always. When the holy name is repeated often by a humbly attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty phrases, but holds fast to the word and ‘brings forth fruit with patience.’ This prayer is possible ‘at all times’ because it is not one occupation among others but the only occupation: that of loving God, which animates and transfigures every action in Christ Jesus.”

So, if you need to say a prayer but you’re pressed for time, just stick with the name of Jesus, it works every time. Of course, if your own moniker is rather lengthy, you might want to stick with pronouns. Going with something like, “Hi Jesus, it’s me, Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern – schplenden – schlitter – crasscrenbon – fried – digger – dingle – dangle – dongle – dungle – burstein – von – knacker – thrasher – apple – banger – horowitz – ticolensic – grander – knotty – spelltinkle – grandlich – grumblemeyer – spelterwasser – kurstlich – himbleeisen – bahnwagen – gutenabend – bitte – ein – nürnburger – bratwustle – gerspurten – mitz – weimache – luber – hundsfut – gumberaber – shönedanker – kalbsfleisch – mittler - aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm.” seems like it would defeat the purpose.