Homily: Fifteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Fifteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Ex. 3:13-20) “What is in a Name”

The people of Israel held God in such high esteem that they believed that no one could look on the face of God and live. Also, they believed that no was worthy to speak God’s name. When Moses asked God how he should refer to him the voice from the burning bush said, “I am who am.” The Hebrew word is Yahweh.

Why was there such a concern about name. The thought that the Hebrews had was that if you know a person’s name than that gives you power over that person.

Many times, I have gone into a classroom to teach, or I have supervised a group of children and it has been a very hard task. I would ask the classroom teacher to leave a seating chart. When a child was not paying attention I could say, “Hey you, pay attention!” Or I could use their proper name. When I could refer to the student by name then they would usually stop misbehaving. They were no longer anonymous. I knew who they were. I might also know who their parents were which made all the difference in the world.

Another thing that is helpful for a pastor is to have a parish picture book when they are new to a parish. Unfortunately, today these books are seldom produced. People do not sit still long enough to get their pictures taken. I am sure that many people are unhappy with me if I do not have their name memorized, but I have hundreds of names, if not thousands, to commit to memory. Everybody knows my first name, “Father.” When they call me as I am passing by, usually they say Father.

Moses was able to clarify the God he was referring to by saying he was sent to the people by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These were the patriarchs. Everyone knew their story and they knew the God they had interacted with.

We remember today that our God has a name. Our God is the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Every time we begin a prayer, we address our God by name when we make the sign of the cross.

Reflection Questions:

1.    How do I feel if someone forgets my name? How do I feel when someone remembers my name?

2.   If someone were to ask the name of the God, we worship what would we say? How do I like the name “I am who am”?

 Dear Parishioners,

           When we hear about the wildfires in Canada, the extreme heat in the southwest and the floods in the east we are reminded of the reality of climate change. I remember that when Pope Francis began his pontificate, he said climate change would be a priority for him. He has tried to be a voice for change. There were Catholics at the time who felt that the Pope should emphasize other matters. I don’t know if this would be the attitude now.

          Pope Francis has said that if we destroy our planet, we will have no future. Let’s pray that we will have the will to sacrifice for the common good of all so that things may improve for everyone.  We pray for all those who are suffering today because of the ecological disasters that are unfolding.

          May Our Lady Watch over Us today,

          Fr. Mark