The Naming Habit and the Name of Jesus

Feast of the Holy Name A January 1, 2023

Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 8
Galatians 4:4-7 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 2:15-21
 

Lectionary Link

Normally on the the First Sunday after Christmas we are reading the Christmas story according to the first chapter of John's Gospel, which includes the famous words: In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God....And the word became flesh and lived among us.

But today, the Feast of Holy Name takes precedence on this Sunday since it is a major feast of our Lord.

Naming is part of the ritual process of a person within community.  Christ as Word and as God is related to the naming event which we celebrate today.

Being human is to be a naming being.  We are language users.  Language is what might be call the process of naming everything that is not language.  We convert to language everything that is not language, things and actions, states of being, interior conditions, yes, everything that can come to language.

Having word and language is living a system of classification, a complete system of placing values of differentiation upon every human experience.

What is not language is more than what is language, so language as events in time is the effort to tame the instability of change and time by imposing upon it the reduction of occasions in time to single words or stories.  God who is All, is the supreme example of the naming reduction which happens.

Naming is to abstract becoming with Being.  Naming is our effort to assert unity of identity across the diversity of differences.

So how can we live well across the changes of time which are imposed upon us?

We live well in time by the discovery of and the promotion of the very best human examplars.

Popular sport culture refer to the acronyms of the G.O.A.T.  The greatest of all time; those who set performance standards.

Who is the greatest of all time in living really well as human beings?

The Gospel writer retroactively revisits the naming event within the ritual process of Jesus who was raised as a Jewish male.

The Gospel writer knew the experience of the Risen Christ as a continuation of the presence of Jesus in life.  For teaching purpose, the Gospel writer was telling the story of how the greatness of God as eternal Word became specific in the life of Jesus who was born within a specific human setting and thus fulfilling the regular ritual process of Jewish culture.

The Risen Christ was experienced as holistic health, the very essence of the meaning of salvation.   

The holistic health of salvation of the Risen Christ born in the hearts of many was found in the very human name of Christ in history, the name of Jesus.

This name, is the Greek form for the Hebrew yeshua or Joshua, meaning the Lord is Salvation.

The early church in telling the naming story of Jesus were proclaiming that he had lived up to the very meaning of his name.

Jesus, the Christ, was proof that the Lord is salvation.  Human wholeness and health in this life and the next is only through identifying completeness with God.

Jesus is the good news that God is so close to humanity as to be humanity in a way that shows us the best way to be human.  The best way to be human is to be filled with the Risen Christ and to be more like Jesus.

Let us celebrate the name of Jesus by acting in salutary ways, yes in the very way of what human salvation means in practice.  And what does human salvation look like?  It is acting in love, justice, faith, kindness, self-control, peace, and reconciliation.  And why is this way of living salvation?  Because these are the things which last best forever and these are the very best things which can preserve the very best of us.

Today we honor the chief exemplar of human, the one who was given the name Jesus, and the one who helps us achieve salvation living.  Amen.

Naming Is the Human Vocation

Feast of the Holy Name   A  January 1, 2017
Numbers 6:22-27  Psalm 8

Galatians 4:4-7  Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 2:15-21 

Lectionary Link

  An Iowan farmer who also raised livestock, cows and pigs, had only daughters and no sons.  So the daughters had to do chores.  They had to take care of the animals too.  But with his daughters, the farmer realized that he had a seriously emotional dilemma.  His  girls loved to feed the cows and the pigs but the problem was that they got so attached to the animals, they gave all of the pigs and cows names.  They could recognize their individualities and they would talk to them, call them and train them.  But this became a real problem when the calves and the young swine were fed out and became massive huge animals destined for the stockyards and for the tables of carnivores in America.  Once the girls had given the animals a name, it was hard to view them as simply commodities for sale.

  What do humans do?  We give names.  In the story about the first human being, Adam, we are told that God gave Adam the task of naming all of the animals.

  This story about naming means that the most profound way that men and women were made in the image of God was because we name.  When we name we create difference.

  The creation story tells us that God created by naming.  God named something and then it came into being.  God said, "Let there be Light," and there was light.   So God giving something a name before it existed is how we are told that creation happened.

  The beginning of the Gospel of John retells the creation story:  In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God.  All things were created by the Word.  And the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.

  And what is the name of the Word becoming a fleshly, human being?  His name was Jesus.

  The story of Jesus is a story about how new creation happens in a significant way.  New creation is always happening as long as there are human beings using language.  We are made in God  image in having language and we are called to name things.  Everything eventually comes to have a name if it comes to human attention.  Things that we don't know, we still name them as "mystery."  We give names, even to things that we don't know.

  What we do know is that in this world of creation there is freedom for lots of good things and bad things to occur.  The story in the Bible is about how to live in a free world and participate with a good and loving kind direction in our lives?

  The way in which we know the direction of goodness and kindness is when a personal example arises in our lives and history to show us what is the greatest and best way to live.

  Jesus Christ arose in the life of human beings and he was so good and so great that he became the standard for how humanity should live and love and care for each other and for our world.  The New Testament is a story about the after effects of the life of Jesus.  When there were so many profound after effects in the life of Jesus, his story had to be told and preserved for people of every generation and so the words had to be preserved.  Words are spirit and they are life; they are a hidden reality of our humanity which guide the directions of our lives.  So we need to be not just passive recipients of word ability, we need to be informed about how we use our words.  We need to focus upon the examples of people who have been most creative, loving, just and kind with the words and body language loving deeds of their lives.

  In the telling the story of Jesus, the story of his birth was told.  Jesus was born into a family in Nazareth.  He lived within the religious tradition of Judaism.  In the rituals of Judaism, a baby boy on the eighth day of his life was circumcised and named in a special dedicatory ceremony.  This ceremony marked the young baby as belonging to God's people and he bore that mark on his body.  And the eighth day was the day for naming.

  We name babies with aspiration and hopes for their future.  Different cultures have different naming traditions.  The entire Hebrew Scripture could be called a "naming" tradition.  If fact, if one simply looked at the meaning of the names of the persons whose stories are told in the Hebrew Scriptures, one can find the theology of the authors represented in the personal names.

  Jesus came into a family that had a naming tradition.  They were proud of him but the church believed that the parents of Jesus had communication before his birth about his name and his destiny.  The angel told his parents that his name was to be Jesus.  This was an Aramaic version of the Hebrew name Joshua, or Yeshua.  This name means, The Lord God, Yaheweh is salvation.

  So the name of Jesus was a proclamation about nature of God and God's purpose for humanity.  God's nature is to preserve and save.  God's action is to save and preserve and this is the theology of the name of Jesus.

  We can fast forward from the naming ceremony of Jesus to his afterlife in his post-resurrection appearances, his ascension and his ability to be continually made known to people who are alive.

  The resurrection of Christ was an announcement that God is the one who can preserve and save all life and that the Holy Spirit is given to us as evidence of this assurance that we will be preserved with the personal identity that each of us has as signified by the fact that we have been given a personal name within our community of significant people.

  The significance of the name of Jesus is related fully after his resurrection life within the church.  The resurrected Christ is the active sign of God's preserving and saving action.

  We sometimes try to forget the subsequent events in the life of Jesus when we try to read the story of his life in the chronological order of the Gospel writers.  We need to embrace the Holy Name of Jesus as a proclamation of what the church believed about God and how the nature of God was further revealed because of the life of Jesus.

  The name of Jesus is Holy because he has attained a special human uniqueness to inform, guide and inspire the direction of God for humanity toward, faith, love and justice. Why?  Because we live knowing that God is our ultimate salvation and preservation.  Amen.

Sunday School, January 1, 2017 Feast of the Holy Name A

Sunday School, January 1, 2017 Feast of the Holy

Themes:

The Feast of the Holy Name

Naming and the meanings of Name

What are your names? First, Middle, Last Name?
What do your names mean? If your last name is Cook, does that mean that some ancestor in the past had the job of being a cook?
How did your parents choose your Name? Are you named after a family member or friend of your parents? Did you parents just like the name?

Cultures have naming traditions. Native Americans are often named after events in natures or animals.
The Old Testament is a book of Names. You can study the names of all of the people in the Bible and the meanings of their names will help tell the story of the people who believed in God.

Adam means man
Abraham means father of many
Abigail means “my father is joy”
David means beloved
Moses means son or deliver
Deborah means “bee”
Elisha means my God is salvation
Jesus means God is salvation

The Feast of the Holy Name is the 8th day of Christmas and in the life of Jesus Mary and Joseph took Jesus for a naming ceremony and another birth ritual of all Jewish baby boys.

Why do we have names?
To identify us and make our uniqueness stand out.

Why do we say the Holy Name of Jesus?
Holy means most special or most unique. Jesus was the most unique person who ever lived. He came as God Son to show us that God is our salvation. God is the one who can save us even when we know that we won’t live forever. We know that our bodies die and so it appears that we are not saved or preserved. Jesus came to show us that God loved us and that God will preserve us beyond our deaths. God is our salvation, the salvation which we call resurrection. Jesus had this special name because he was the one who was God’s gift to the world to show us how much God cares for us. Even when we die and all of the people who knew us die, our name will not be forgotten because God will remember us all beyond our deaths.

The Holy Name of Jesus means God is our salvation. Jesus showed us that this is true.



St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Family Service with Holy Eucharist
January 1, 2017 The Feast of the Holy Name

Gathering Songs: How Majestic is Your Name, Jesus Name above All Names, Praise the Name of Jesus, Majesty


Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Liturgist: Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.
And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.
Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Song: How Majestic is Your Name, Renew! # 98
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in al the earth. O Lord, we praise your name. O Lord, we magnify your name: Prince of Peace, Mighty God, O Lord God Almighty. O Lord, we praise your name. O Lord, we magnify your name: Prince of Peace, Mighty God, O Lord God Almighty

Liturgist: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

Liturgist: Let us pray
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen..

Litany Phrase: Alleluia (chanted)

O God, you are Great! Alleluia
O God, you have made us! Alleluia
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia

A reading from the Book of Numbers

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them. Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 8

1 O LORD our Governor, * how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2 Out of the mouths of infants and children * your majesty is praised above the heavens.


5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? * the son of man that you should seek him out?
6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; * you adorn him with glory and honor;

7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; * you put all things under his feet:
8 All sheep and oxen, * even the wild beasts of the field,

9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, * and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10 O LORD our Governor, * how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:
For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!
For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!
For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!
For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!
For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!
For work and for play. Thanks be to God!
For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!
For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!
For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family. Thanks be to God!

Liturgist: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Liturgist: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon: Fr. Phil
Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.
Since God is so great and we are so small,
We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.
We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.
We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is
welcome.
We believe that Christ is kind and fair.
We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.
And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.
For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.
For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.
For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.
For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.
For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Liturgist: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering.

Song: Jesus, Name Above All Names, Renew! # 26

Jesus, Name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord, Emmanuel, God is with us, blessed Redeemer, Living Word.

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”
All become members of a family by birth or adoption.
Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.
A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.
The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;
You have made us in your image
And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:
Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.
And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph
And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.
Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat
the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as
this food and drink that becomes a part of us.


And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ. May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory
is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.
As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.
Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Song: Praise the Name of Jesus, Renew! # 7
Praise the Name of Jesus, praise the name of Jesus, He’s my Rock, he’s my Fortress, he’s my Deliverer, in whom I trust. Praise the name of Jesus.

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;
We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.
And His Presence has been known to us.
We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers
and sisters in Christ.
Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the
bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,
As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Closing Song: Majesty, (Renew # 63)
Majesty, worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority flow from His throne unto His own;
His anthem raise.
So, exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship His Majesty; Jesus who died,
now glorified, King of all kings.

Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!