What's in a Name?

What’s in a Name?

by Fr. Ramón Domínguez, Youth Apostles (YA)

What is in a name? If you want to get to know someone in your neighborhood, workplace, or school, one of the more important questions to ask is, “What is your name?” Names help us to see connections, to understand where people are from, and to understand their family and culture.

But names also can be life-changing. In many cultures, names are given based on the strengths or characteristics of a person or their mission. For example, in the Anglo-Saxon era, the occupation of ‘smith’ was one who worked with metal (i.e., a blacksmith, etc.). Another example of how names connect us with our family would be the name “Williamson,” where this can be traced back to the 13th century when it was used to identify the person who was the son of William.

Going back further to the Old Testament, Moses was named by Pharaoh’s daughter after she rescued him from the water using the Hebrew verb meaning “to pull out/draw out” of water. Then later, when Moses encountered the burning bush in the desert, as he was in dialogue with God, Moses posed the question what if they say to me “What is his name? What do I tell them?” God replied, “I AM” (Exodus 3:13-14, NABRE). We also see Abram’s name changed to Abraham. That change reflected a new reality for Abram who was advanced in age and childless. His new name of Abraham is roughly translated in the original Hebrew to mean “father of a multitude,” thus embodying the covenant that God made with him.

What’s in a Name?

continued by Fr. Ramón

In the readings that approached Holy Week, we heard from the Gospel of John when the Jews were questioning Jesus as to how he could say that he had seen Abraham while he was not even fifty years old. “Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM’” (John 8:58, NABRE). Here Jesus reveals the truth that he is consubstantial with the Father. This revelation is readily perceived by his audience as they then seek to pick up stones to throw at him. Jesus’ revelation at this time was an invitation for them to know him as the Messiah and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to the Jewish people.

But alas, the leaders were not interested in hearing about neither Jesus’ name nor his message. They wanted a messiah who would conform with their pre-conceived realities. Christ desires us to live in communion with him. The very essence of why God sent his beloved Son into the world is because of the depth of his love for us (John 3:16).

Jesus revealed his name to them in the hopes that they would come to know him for who he truly was. Jesus wanted them to know that he was the living proof of God’s love and the fulfillment of what they were waiting for. But they did not want to hear it. This startling rejection of the people around Jesus to his revelation can also be an admonition to each of us today. How often do we not want to hear the message and will of God when it does not conform to our “plan?”

As we continue to celebrate the Easter season, let us be open to hear Jesus calling. Jesus desires to be united with each one of us in an intimate and deep manner. He wants to truly know us, to call us by name. To perhaps even change our name. For if we truly seek to enter into heaven, then we would be worthy to join those early disciples of Christ and be known by the name of Christian.

Easter Season 2024: March 31 (Easter Sunday) to May 19 (Pentecost Sunday)