Call me by my name

     Let's just say my name is Fred Smith. I used to attend a Catholic parish where the Pastor, an old Irish man with a hint of a brogue used to call me "Joe". The first 5 or ten times I attempted to tell him that my name is Fred. After a while it was simpler to just answer to Joe.
Several years later Father came to me and asked if I would help with the deposit once a month and directed me to an office where I would get instructions. The next week Father pulled me aside, very apologetic, and said " I am so sorry Joe, they got some guy named Fred Smith to do the job". Once again, and for the last time, I told Father that I was Fred Smith!  Father never called me Joe again.

     I think everyone likes to be called by their correct name.  When I was young man at work, I had young residents come to me on a daily basis. These residents came from all over the globe and I always made an effort to a learn their name and how to pronounce it. In fact I always tried to learn a friendly phrase which I wrote down phonetically for myself to say to them each morning so they'd feel at home and welcome.  I can say I speak twenty languages, all of them with a a single word or sentence. Everyone likes to hear their name and have it said correctly.

        One more story. Years ago my Pop had asked me to read a book about the power of one's subconscious mind. One of the lessons is that we listen and believe so many things we tell ourselves and that others tell us.  It was a good book. One of the negative examples they used as I recall is that of a child who believed everything his parents told him and that he was about ten years old before he realized his name wasn't "hey, stupid".  

         I think perhaps that God may want to be called by his real name, with reverence and respect and full acknowledgement of the love and care we are given.  The meditation for today could be the recognition of all that God has done in creation, the power, the majesty, the beauty; the intricacies and uniqueness of you and me. In so doing, we may come to realize that God really deserves to be called by a respectful and loving name. Allah, Abba, Father, Creator God or many of the other names the world's religions have conjured to try and capture the awesomeness and respect due God.

     Nowhere in that mix are there phrases that are used to condemn and expel frustration on our part.  That third commandment really has great import. I think God really likes to hear the correct name when we have a conversation in prayer or in our daily living. Just a thought. How do you feel?

     

Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name. 

Your kingdom come.
   Your will be done,
     on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our debts,
     as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
     but rescue us from the evil one.