Let me tell you about Barbara. Within her congregation she is called Sister Barbara. I became acquainted with her at activities of Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment, an area group of churches and congregations committed to working for justice. I first came to know her as someone who is well-spoken, well-dressed, well-educated and hard-working. Only later did I find out that she is poor, very poor.
* * * I have received two joyful e-mails within recent weeks. One announced the birth of Isaac Gregory; the other, the birth of “Wade Matthew.” They have names, given to them by parents who love them — even before they have a chance to get to know them.
* * * My name is Paul. It’s from a Latin word, “paulus,” meaning “little” or “small” or “humble,” according to various dictionaries and sources. I am taller than most people, and heavier than many. The verdict is still out on “humble.” I like my name. I never wanted to change it. I had a classmate who did, though. He told everybody his name was “Pat,” but his first name was really “Forest.” I still called him “Pat.” That’s who he wanted to be.
* * * What is your name? What is its meaning? Who gave you that name? Whose child are you?
* * * We believe in Jesus Christ — that’s one of the things we say in our creed — and that he is the son of God. And we can call on him by name. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that in Hebrew, the name Jesus means “God saves.” The catechism also says that at the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission. The word “Christ” comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means “anointed.” It became the name proper to Jesus only because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission that “Christ” signifies, according to the Catechism.
* * * I remember an experience at a gas station one time, a generation ago. It was exactly opposite the Scriptural account, of a voice from the heavens saying, this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. The voice I heard came from a man who had his young son with him. He said he was proud of his son, and he predicted that his son would have his way with a lot of girls when he gets to be16. His exact words are unprintable. I don’t know what the future held for this impressionable child. I do know that Jesus lived up to the words of his Father.
* * * What names, what expectations, have you given your children? What names do you call people you love? What names do you call people you don’t know, people you avoid, people you fear? Will your children fulfill the names you have given them?
* * * The Catholic catechism tells us that the name of Jesus is at the heart of Christian prayer. All liturgical prayers conclude with the words “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Hail Mary reaches its high point in the words “blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”
* * * Take the time to learn more about the names within your family. Do people “live up” to their names? Or reject them? Take the time to learn the name of a brother or sister – one who is homeless or in trouble or poor, or who speaks another language. Or the name of the new baby in the home down the block, or the teen across the street. A name can make a difference.
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