What’s in a name?
Our names individualize us and make us unique. Our names are given with care by our parents. As children, they are used to call us from play or danger, to comfort us, and to cajole us when we are diminishing ourselves. As adults they identify us, call us to relationships, and are uttered in our most intimate moments.
The readings today speak of God’s calling us: the Good Shepherd lovingly calls his sheep by name, the Song of Solomon speaks of God’s longing for us, and the spirit calls Peter by name to dine with Gentiles. These readings and their depictions of being called by name recall the beautiful words of the Easter vigil and the renewal of our baptismal vows –“Blessed be God, who calls you by name, holy and chosen one!” That’s us! Can you believe it? Can anything be more intimate and personal than God calling you by name? We are not just “His people” but we are individuals with purpose. His relationship with us is one of love. Like anyone who loves a person, He accepts us but also guides us to be our best. He knows us totally and extends Himself to us in our weaknesses as well as our strengths. And in love we want to give him all that we can, knowing that He will accept us even as we fall along the way.
HEAR God call you by name. Suddenly, everything is different!
The readings today speak of God’s calling us: the Good Shepherd lovingly calls his sheep by name, the Song of Solomon speaks of God’s longing for us, and the spirit calls Peter by name to dine with Gentiles. These readings and their depictions of being called by name recall the beautiful words of the Easter vigil and the renewal of our baptismal vows –“Blessed be God, who calls you by name, holy and chosen one!” That’s us! Can you believe it? Can anything be more intimate and personal than God calling you by name? We are not just “His people” but we are individuals with purpose. His relationship with us is one of love. Like anyone who loves a person, He accepts us but also guides us to be our best. He knows us totally and extends Himself to us in our weaknesses as well as our strengths. And in love we want to give him all that we can, knowing that He will accept us even as we fall along the way.
HEAR God call you by name. Suddenly, everything is different!
Susan Schroeder-Barda
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