Burglar broke into house. As he
flashes a light around, he hears a voice – Jesus knows you are here. He nearly jumped out of his skin. When he
heard nothing more – he continues his search for valuables. Once again he heard – Jesus is watching
you! He looked around frantically – in the
corner – there was a parrot. Did you say
that? Yes. I’m just trying to warn you that he is
watching you. Warn me? Who are you – Moses, replied the bird. Moses, who would name their bird Moses. The same people who would name their
Rottweiler – Jesus!
A name! Names are so important. Tells
everyone who we are. During the course of our lives, we hear our names 1,000’s
of times. I usually loved to hear my parents speak my name – except when I was
in trouble!
Readings today speak about names
1)
Book of Numbers – Moses is told to
have Aaron bless the people in the name of God. And what is God’s name – I am
Who Am – Yahweh – so awesome it is not pronounced. When it is written, the
vowels are left out. Jesus said –
Hallowed be thy name! Second Commandment
– Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord Thy God in vain.
2)
Paul tell us, because of Jesus, we
can call God by another name – When you pray say – Father – Abba – Daddy. An intimate word. Points to a relationship.
God is awesome and all powerful and also Abba!
3)
Eight days after his birth, Jesus was
presented in the Temple by Mary and Joseph. He was given the name Jesus – the name
the angel gave him – Yeshua, a form of Joshua – Yahweh saves. St. Paul wrote that this is the Name above
every other name. At his Name, every knee should bend and every tongue declare
that Jesus is Lord.
At Baptism – this is the first
question that parents are asked – what name have you given your child? Reminds everyone that this is a unique
individual – never before and never again will this unique person exist. This
child has been entrusted by God to your family to be loved and cared for – this
is a child of God!!!
President Bush (41) was once visiting
a nursing home. A resident was giving him a good looking over. The President
asked him “Do you know who I am?” Resident
– No, but if you speak to those nurses over there I’m sure they can help you!”
Who are you – Joseph, Mary, Michael,
Susan - You are a child of God!!!
