Recently, an extended family member greeted me by confidently saying, “Hi, Abbey! Merry Christmas!” This wasn’t the first time this family member called me by my sister’s name. As this family member has been part of the family for more than 28 years, since before I was born, it seems kind of strange to get my name wrong repeatedly. But this occurrence caused me to think about names and their significance. Our names are our titles and what identifies us for life. God calls each of us by name.
Our names are sacred. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “God calls each one by name. Everyone’s name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it (CCC 2158). God knows each one of us individually. He has chosen us, calls us, and invites each one of us into a personal relationship with Him. It can be easy to overlook the fact that He calls us each by our unique names. We are more than a part of a generic crowd or group. To be set apart and recognized individually is something special.
While it seems small, it is significant when we use other people’s names and when people use our names. Whether it is when writing a written message to someone via text, email, or letter, or when speaking to a person, it makes a big difference. It feels as if you are known by someone when they use your name. It feels more personal. Now think not just about the people around you using your name, but God Himself using your name too. That is an incredible thought. The God of the universe calls you and I by name. How do we respond?
On the surface, names can seem insignificant. But in reality, they play a huge role in our lives, as the name we are given by our parents at birth is with us for life. Our names identify who we are. They are more than just a label, but as the Catechism says, they are an icon of us and they signify our dignity from God. My prayer for you today is that you would recognize that God knows you and is calling you by name!
Faith and The Good Stuff 