Misa De Gallo - Day 8

What is in a name? So much.  Sometimes it is prophetic.

Fr. Lambert said, in Jewish tradition, a child's name is important.  It is a pity that these days children's names are not as meaningful.

• Some names are given in honor of family members, which is why Elizabeth was questioned when she wanted to name her son John, when the more appropriate would have been Zechariah or any male name in their family.
• Some names highlight what the child means to the parents.  John means "YAHWEH is gracious"
• Some names call out the parents' beliefs and values.  Elijah means "my God is YAHWEH".  
• Some names indicate special abilities.  Raphael means "God is Healer" or "God has healed", an apt name for the Archangel who is instrumental in the healing of Tobit. Samson means "Sun child; bright child", which alludes to his tremendous strength.

The homily struck my son so much, that he researched the meaning of his name.  He came into my room and said, "Mom, my name means 'Man of God' or 'Soldier of God'". I looked at him and said, "And you need to live up to that name".  He looked at me solemnly and said, "I'm sorry, I am not a Man of God the past days"; and I saw a resolve in his eyes (that, I hope, holds out for longer than a day).

How many times have you inadvertently lived up to your name?  How many times have you disgraced it?

Luke 1:57-66

57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zec

hariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.