What’s in a name? In today’s gospel reflection from the daily Mass, we look into Zechariah’s predicament, dumbstruck in disbelief!
BIBLE READINGS: You can find the readings for Friday of the December 23 here (Universalis Website)
The UK has no comprehensive list of banned names. However, according to the UK Deed Poll Office, there are some restrictions including Offensive language, explicit or sexually suggestive names, or names that have the potential to cause harm or ridicule, or names that could mislead, such as king, queen or doctor. Examples of names which have been rejected in recent times in the UK include Cyanide, Martian, King and Rogue. Whilst in France, one family were unable to call their baby Nutella.
Perhaps it puts Zechariah’s predicament into perspective. To call his son John may seem a rather harmless thing to do—even though he was breaking the tradition of naming a baby from amongst a pool of family names. Yet, this is not the only surprising thing about John—for his birth is out of the ordinary, especially considering Elizabeth’s advanced age. It is so unexpected and miraculous that Zechariah doubts the angel’s message and so he is struck dumb until the day he announces his child’s name. Meanwhile, the people are left to wonder what this child will be. In years to come, their wondering will be realised when John becomes the Baptist, the one who prepares the way of Jesus, calling them to turn their lives around.
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, a name which means, “He who saves.” Like John the Baptist, his name is God given, all part of God’s design to save us. God knows us by name. Jesus, who is the Christ, calls us to himself. With him, we are able to call God our Father, adopting the family name of Christian and rejoicing in his saving love.
MASS TODAY
Mass today on Monday 23 December is at S Mary’s at 630pm
DAY BY DAY
If you’d like more resources for daily prayer then check out our DAY BY DAY pages.
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