From the Treatise of Saint Thomas Aquinas On the Humanity of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

From the Dominican Proper: Holy Name

 

And he was called Jesus. It must be noted that the names of individuals are always bestowed, because of a certain fittingness in the person o: whom the name is bestowed This is done either because of the time—as tb: names of saints are often bestowed on those who are born on their feast days—or because of a relationship, or because of some other However, the names that are divinely bestowed always signify some gratuitous gift divinely given to those on whom the names are imposed. So, it was said to Abraham: You shall be called Abraham for I have made you the ancestor of many nations. And it was said to Peter: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. Therefore, because to the man Christ this gift of grace was bestowed that through him all might be saved, his name is fittingly called Jesus, that is, "Savior."

Truly it must be said that this name Jesus is of great and varied power. For it is a refuge for the penitent, a remedy for the sick, a strength for those struggling, a support for those praying, because it confers pardon from sin the grace of health, victory to those tempted, the power and confidence to  obtain salvation.

Concerning the first point it is said: I write to you, little children because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. And all the prophets testify about him. Augustine says: "What is Jesus if not savior?" Therefore, because you are a savior be Jesus to me! I am unwilling, Lord, I am unwilling to pay such attention to my wickedness that I should forget your goodness." But it must be noted that this name is imposed by circumcision which signifies that those spiritually circumcised are saved. Hence Bernard says: "It is clear, [brothers,] that we must be circumcised to receive the name that saves; to be circumcised clearly not according to the letter but in spirit and truth."

Concerning the second point it is said: Your name is oil poured out.  Since oil alleviates sorrow, so also does the name of Jesus. Hence Bernard says: "My soul, you have a hidden source of healing from the vessel of that name, which is Jesus, which is never found inefficacious for any disease. Again, Peter of Ravenna says: "This is the name that gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, movement to the crippled, speech to the mute, life to the dead.”

Concerning the third point it is said: The name of the Lord is the strongest tower. And, in my name they will cast out demons. Again, the disciples returned with joy saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons were subject to us!" Hence Peter of Ravenna says: "The power of this Name puts to flight all the power of the devil over bodies that were obsessed.”

Concerning the fourth point it is said: If you ask anything of the Father it will be given to you. Hence Augustine says: "In my name: that is the name of Christ Jesus. Christ signifies king, Jesus signifies savior. Whatever we ask through this name, we ask in the name of the Savior. Nevertheless, he himself is savior not only when he does what we ask, but also when he does not do it. For when he sees what is asked for is contrary to salvation, by not doing it he shows himself the Savior. Therefore, the physician knows whether what the sick person requests is good for health, Therefore, the physician may go against the request to bring about the health of the sick person."