For Sunday, January
1 , 2017, Holy Name/Epiphany Sunday ,
Year A, Readings: Numbers
6:22-27, Psalm 8, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. [Numbers 24-26]
O Lord our Governor, how exalted is your Name in all the world! [Psalm 8:10]
Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend... [Philippians 2:5-11]
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen...After eight days had passed it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus... [Luke 2:20-21]
This first day, the first Sunday, and the first week of the New Year, is filled with opportunities to celebrate. As we know it today, Holy Name Sunday, has also been known as the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. In addition to Luke's Gospel for today, we have several naming accounts of this Holy Child - from Joseph's dream in Matthew 1:21, when God's angel appears dissuading him from dismissing Mary, and explaining that the son she will bear will be called Jesus, which means "God is salvation", and then following quickly on is Matthew 1:23 Emmanuel, which means God is with us, referring back to the Prophet Isaiah 7:14's prediction of the child of the virgin that will be called Immanuel.
The approaching Feast of the Epiphany, will also be celebrated this week in western Christianity.
This Sunday's naming focus gives us a moment to think about what is the power of a name. What does your name mean to you? Do you know your name's history, why it was given to you? How do you feel if someone mispronounces or misspeaks your name? That happens quite often to me and sometimes it can feel as if my name and I are unimportant, though I have learned to let it go, if with a silent sigh. Because of that, I try to remember preferred names and use them. And then, for me, there is nothing so touching and wonderful as hearing my name spoken by someone who loves me.
Using a name well creates a connection with another. It is more than mere identification, it is relational, even if only a brief encounter in a retail or service location. If someone is wearing a name tag, I will call them by name. If it is an unfamiliar kind of name for me, I'll ask how to pronounce it.
There is power in a name, and no more greater power in any name than in the name of Jesus. Sadly these two familiar syllables are, far too often, used in less than honorable ways. It has become a verbal football to throw around casually as an exclamation, or worse, even by some of us who profess to be faithful.
Here's an idea for a New Year's Resolution: START using the name of Jesus in only the most reverential tones. Think first, before bad habits kick in, and begin to use the name intentionally, as a prayer, as an invocation, as a meditation. Fr Richard Rohr says, "Prayer isn't primarily words; it's a place, an attitude, a stance." Let us use the Holy Name of Jesus as our place of holy introspection, our attitude of faith, our stance of firm - or at least firm-er - willingness to turn toward the Way that Christ beckons us to live. From Psalm 51 come the words: Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I feel called to ponder, what's on my lips - will it create a clean heart and renewed spirit? Let me begin again with the power of and in the Holy Name of Jesus.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, let us praise Your
Holy Name to the highest heights as the most perfect and sacred word our lips,
our thoughts, can form; it is at once a prayer, an inspiration, the intentional
beckoning of our humbled souls to accept and live into Your Promise of
Salvation.
Blessed
Child, our Christ
RESPONSE: May our lives reflect Your Glory
~
Jesus, God’s Bright Star, illuminate life’s righteous road of empathy, wisdom,
and peace, and guide along it all who govern in our names on this Earth, in our
Country, and in our Community.
We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Blessed
Child, our Christ
May our lives reflect Your Glory
~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, in the glow of Your
eternal Light, help us to see with new eyes those who are ill, lonely,
homeless, or desperate, and find ways to provide needed love and help. We now join our voices to
pray aloud for those in need…
Blessed
Child, our Christ
May our lives reflect Your Glory
~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, as the grieving seek
Your comfort, let us all rejoice for those we have loved who now live again, radiant in the joy and peace of
Your eternal life. We pray especially for:
Blessed
Child, our Christ
May our lives reflect Your Glory
~
Jesus, God’s Bright Star, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently…
Blessed
Child, our Christ
May our lives reflect Your Glory
~
Jesus, God’s Bright Star, embrace the souls and hearts of those entrusted to bring us
Your Word and Sacraments, as we walk together with renewed fervor in Your Holy
Name. We pray especially for:
Blessed
Child, our Christ
May our lives reflect Your Glory
The Celebrant adds: O Lord, our Governor Most Gracious, into this fullness of time You have sent our Messiah,
woman-borne, to bless us and keep us, to be the Compass for our lives. Quicken our desire to
follow Love’s pure Light and seek that bold path that leads us to Eternity. We
ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, who together
with You are One God, now and forever.
Amen.
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