The Litany Project: Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, Part 14

Jesus, joy of the Angels, have mercy on us.

In the dark of the first Christmas midnight, the shepherds watched over their flocks. Then suddenly, the sky exploded with the light of rejoicing angels, proclaiming that the Savior has been born. “Glory to God in the highest,” they exult, “and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!” (Luke2:14). 

The angels surrounded Jesus all during His life. They served Him after He resisted temptation in the wilderness. An angel comforted Him in the garden the night before He died. The angels would have descended in legions upon legions to assist Jesus during His Passion if He had only said the word. But He did not, so they watched in silence and sorrow. But we can be sure that the angels were the first to rejoice at Jesus’ resurrection, and they were clearly eager to spread the news that the Lord had risen, conquering death and bringing new life to all those who accept Him in faith and love.

Jesus, King of Patriarchs, have mercy on us.

The Patriarchs (people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses) may have lived long before Jesus, but they looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. They understood that God had a plan for His people and that He ruled over them in a special way to prepare them to bring Him to the whole world. Jesus is now the King of Patriarchs because, as He explained to the disbelieving Sadducees, God is the God of the living. Jesus is the God of the living. The Patriarchs are alive, far more alive than we sometimes are, and they know their God and King in Jesus Christ. 

Jesus, master of Apostles, have mercy on us.

Apostles are those who are sent. They do not act on their own authority but on the authority of the Sender. When we think of “Apostles,” we usually think of the Twelve, but all of us are called to participate in the Church’s “apostolate.” We are all sent out on a particular mission, and God gives us the skills and graces we need to do it well. While we may not always feel like we are successful, our job is to cooperate and leave the results to the Master.