A New Name

Today's readings: Ps 119:97-120; Jud 7:19-8:12; Acts 3:12-26; John 1:29-42

Many rites of passage include a name change. In western culture, marriage traditionally involved a new last name for the bride. As gender roles develop, some people modify this custom by making no name change, creating a new hyphenated name, or changing the name of the groom. Such choices make statements about how people view their identities. Roman Catholics going through the sacrament of Confirmation take on an additional name. Traditionally, this is the name of a saint whom the candidate admires. When taken seriously, this choice also makes a statement about the person’s values and identity.

Gideon, our current protagonist in Judges, becomes Jerub-Baal after he destroys the altar to Baal. “Jerub-Baal” functions as a nickname, given by others recognizing a personal accomplishment or quality. Nicknames can be welcome or unwelcome, and are generally beyond the recipient’s control. When Jesus meets Simon, he gives him a new name: Cephas, translated as Peter or “rock.” This change signifies Peter’s new role – the rock upon which Christ intends to found his church (Matt 16:18). Peter doesn’t always act like a rock, but given time he grows into his role. If we compare Jerub-Baal and Peter, we see one name describes the person’s past, and the other describes the person’s potential.

The names of many Biblical figures (Abram/Abraham, Sarai/Sarah, Jacob/Israel, Saul/Paul, etc.) changed to reflect their new relationship with God, reflecting both past and future. While these name changes have a mythic quality, they also teach us that a relationship with God can transform us so completely that even our names no longer describe us.

Has your relationship with God defined or redefined your identity? If Jesus gave you a name to describe your journey so far, what might it be? What name might he give you to unlock your potential? God, knowing who we’ve been and who we can be, has a new name ready for all of us. Through prayer and reflection we can claim it and grow into it.

Comfort: No matter your name, God knows how to call you.

Challenge: Try to determine what name God might give (or has given) you.

Prayer: God of hope, help me live up to the name you would give me.

Evening reading: Ps 81, 82