Praise His Holy Name

As you may learn from the folks at Catholic Culture, the entire month of December is dedicated to the Holy Name. But this day is set aside in particular to honor Him "at whose name every knee should bow" [Phil 2:10]. Today's feast appropriately follows on the heels of the feast of the circumcision. When Jesus was brought into the Hebrew covenant by his parents, they also gave him his name [Lk 2:21], which means "Yahweh Saves", as instructed by the Angel [Mt 1:21].

When my roommate from college was trying to choose a name for his unborn child, I told him to choose wisely, for the name you are given at Baptism (when Christians are brought into the New Covenant, just as Jesus was brought into the Hebrew covenant) is recorded in the Book of Life. It is the name by which you shall be known for all eternity. It's customary to invoke the blessing of a patron saint in the naming of Catholic children, but it is no less appropriate to honor family members. The only instruction that comes from the Catechism is to ensure that the name chosen is appropriate to the dignity and person of the child, that nothing untoward should be imposed upon the child. For example, naming your child after your favorite snackfood is probably not the most prudential option.

I like to share with people the meaning behind my name. I am called Seth because I am the third son in my family (the youngest of three boys), and Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve in the Genesis account[Gen 4:25]. My brother Josh was the second-born son of my parents. He was named for the man who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, who was second after Moses. Joshua shares his name with Jesus too! Andrew Simon is the oldest, the firstborn, named for the Apostles who were first to accept the Lord's invitation to come and follow Him.

Naming is very important to God's people. Adam was given divine instruction to name his fellow creatures. The Evangelists Matthew and Luke were careful to list the names of all those from whom the Lord descended. Not only was Jesus of royal descent from King David, he was descended from Abraham, and ultimately from Adam the son of God. In Hebraic belief, to call someone by name was to know that person, to be intimate; it was not to be done lightly. In Jesus' time, it was not appropriate to address the Lord by name, for who could claim intimacy with the Almighty Creator of the Universe? Mosaic Law forbid taking the Lord's name in vain, taking it for granted, disrespecting it, or invoking it without just cause.

Today we remind ourselves that the Holy Name of Jesus Christ is never to be taken lightly. We should refrain from invoking the name in a thoughtless or careless manner. If we can show felicitude for the Name of God, the Name of Jesus, we demonstrate an understanding of why this person is worthy of even the smallest gestures of respect, devotion, and adoration. And if we can learn to have such felicitude for the Lord, we can learn to show the same respect to our fellow Christians, our neighbors far and near, all those the Lord has come to save.