Please read the passage before reading the commentary.
My friend Paul died in a strange accident last summer on a beach. Two weeks ago, his widow went up to visit his family for the holidays. She was very much upset because none of his family mentioned his name the whole time she was there. It was as if he had never existed.
On the eighth day after the birth of Jesus, his parents named him Jesus. Yes, Jesus did exit and still exists. He has a name and we use it.
Moses met God on the mountain at the burning bush. He asked to know God’s name. God did not tell Moses the fulness of God’s name. In effect God told Moses, “My name is Put-in-tame; ask me again and I will tell you the same.” If we had God’s name, in some way we would have control over God. On the eighth day, the parents of Jesus named him Jesus. Jesus gives us some control over him: we know his name and we can call him by name, just as Mary and Joseph could call Jesus by name.
I have a nam e. I am Father David Vincent. I am a substitute priest. I am not Father Moss, and I am not Father Moss’s replacement. I exist and Father Moss still exists. His replacement exists but we do not know his name or where he comes from.
You have a name. Your name describes you. Jesus has a name; his name describes him; it means ‘the Lord is salvation’. Your name describes you; it is Christian, child of God by baptism. As Jesus lived up to his name, so you and I must live up to our name.
This is the eighth day since the birth. The eighth day is the same day of the week as the first day. It is a day of rest when we can call on God by name and rejoice in Jesus, who is the Lord’s salvation.