Since this week you are reading about the Prophesy of the Names and about the Baptism of Jesus, I wanted to share thoughts from a favorite book of mine, Mustard Seed Preaching by Ann Garrido (pgs 63-67) . Ms. Garrido ends her book with four samples of preaching (focused toward adult congregations) in a manner guided by the principles of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The first example is a sermon reflecting on the celebration of the Baptism of Our Lord. This coming Sunday's Gospel (from Luke Chapter 3) will tell of the baptism of Jesus and end with these words: "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.'"
Ms. Garrido reflects on the variety of names we have heard given to Jesus over the many weeks of Advent and Christmas, from the common name Jesus to the grand descriptions such as Emmanuel, Messiah and Lord, The Word Made Flesh, and so many others. Ms. Garrido says (pg 66):
"Now, today, we hear one last name. One last key to unlocking this man's identity.
We have heard who he is to us. Now, we hear who he is to God.
He is Beloved. He is Son.
...
Of all the names we have heard given to Jesus over the last couple of weeks, this alone seems to be the one he heard himself. The one that whispered and boomed and echoed throughout his entire life. The one that shaped his whole person. The one that formed him into who he would become. 'You are my beloved son.'
Would Jesus have been Jesus without this name? Without this knowledge? We can speculate 'no.' The infancy narratives reveal several 'epiphany' events in which Christ's true identity was made known to others. The story of Christ's baptism seems to reveal the 'epiphany' event in which Jesus' true identity became known to himself. 'I am the beloved son of God.'"
Then, Ms. Garrido goes on (pgs 66-67) to the best part, the best news of all!
"It is not his name alone, however. For, in Baptism, each one of us was called 'Beloved' by God. Each one of us was called 'Child.' For each one of us the sky is rent and the Spirit descends."
Now back to the presentation of the Prophesy of the Names. Remember how we asked the children: How do we feel about these great names, about the person with these great names?
Through Baptism, you have been called Beloved Child. Now think to yourself: How do I feel about my name - Beloved Child? How does this name shape who I am?