Want to know by name

The Name of God is an exploration for contemplation which can start with the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. The naming of people in earlier times, even two or three generations ago, in many cultures, was far more significant than today. In many European cultures, your name was tied to the work done by your family, baker, muller, carpenter, and parsons (Macpherson is son of the parson) are some examples. The Hebrew culture understood the name to be related to the essence of the being. Moses in the dialogue with God, at the burning bush from the passage from the Book of Exodus, asks God to reveal His name. The rabbis have different understandings of the response to Moses. Friar Jude Winkler notes two interpretations one which reveals God as a mystery about which Creatures are not likely to understand and a second which emphasizes the faithful Presence of God in service to His creatures. The psalmist proclaims the wonders that God would do through Moses “in the land of Ham” as he accepts the mission to free the Hebrews from Egypt. The Gospel from Matthew resonates, as noted by Friar Jude, with the “poor in spirit” who know disappointment, fatigue, oppression and struggle. The invitation from Jesus to be yoked with Him as we move through our journey comes in the Gospel of Matthew at the end of a chapter where the cities and people who have rejected His invitation are identified as He expresses woe over their fateful decision. The Name of Jesus “God Saves” is the expression of the restorative, reconciliatory, compassionate and merciful nature of the Son.

PS Look ahead to Sunday