September 4, 2009
The Second Half
What’s in a name?
BY DEACON JIM AND ANN CAVERA
Why are names so important? In the Genesis account of creation God named Adam and Eve and then gave Adam the task of naming the animals. From the beginning God knew his people by name and entrusted them with the care of his creation. Our name can define who we are and someone’s name is always the first thing we learn when we begin a new relationship.
Speaking to Israel in Isaiah 43:1 God said, “I have called you by name, you are mine.” In Isaiah 49 the prophet said, “The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.” God changed Abram and Sara into Abraham and Sarah. In the New Testament Simon became Peter the Rock and Saul became Paul. After the Resurrection Mary Magdalene recognized Christ only when he called her by name. Throughout scripture names identified not only who people were, but who they were to become in relationship to the Lord.
Back in the sixties we remember some of the flower generation giving names to their babies that they thought sounded creative and distinctive. Innocent babies were being saddled with names like “Heartsong” and “Tumbleweed.” Thankfully, those names never cracked the list of the top five and fell out of fashion as soon as the Heartsongs and Tumbleweeds grew up and began having babies of their own. They decided to go back to less original, more stable names for their children.
In recent years, our names have become as confused as our society. Everybody today seems to have a nickname, more than one computer identity and some kind of label or title. Parents sometimes “name” their children without realizing what they are doing. Both of us cringe when we hear a child labeled as a “brat,” “troublemaker” or “stinker.” We feel sad when we read some of the messages and titles on children’s t-shirts, because we know that children often become what other people think of them.
The first gift parents give their child is the name he/she will carry through life and it needs to be given with much thought. In some cultures a baby isn’t formally named until the first birthday. The best name has a ring of authenticity about it, reflecting something about the person who carries it. Each of us needs a name we can be proud of and grow into.
Mary was the most popular girls’ name from 1909 to 1946 and from 1953 to 1961. From 1954 until 1999 Michael was the most popular boys name and it still takes second place to “Jacob.” In spite of all the confusion over screen names, nick names and titles, it is reassuring to know that most parents still decide to gift their child with a solid name that will bring up images of purity, strength and goodness.
In addition to the name we were given at birth, by the grace of God we also bear the name “Christian.” This name tells us not only who we are, but who we are becoming. Lucky the child who understands from an early age that he/she bears the name of Christ.
Deacon Jim and Ann Cavera are former residents of Evansville; their award-winning column is a regular feature of the Message. Contact them at www.catholicseniorspirit.com.