Jan. 13 Reflection: What’s in a Name?
Dear Holy Covenant community,
What’s in a name?
If a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, would God, by any other name, be as holy? On Sunday, we begin the first of five weeks exploring the Lord’s Prayer. This is the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, and the central prayer of our Christian life and practice. The prayer begins: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Hallowed be God’s name: God’s name is holy. But what, exactly, is God’s name? The Bible and the Christian tradition are full of diverse images and names for God. Including:
Mother hen, wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, Jehovah, YHWH, Lord, savior, creator, redeemer, sustainer, shepherd, , lover, shield, defender, ancient of days, alpha and omega, Word, king, eagle’s wings, helper, giver, healer, liberator, refuge, strength, deliverer, rock, ruler, forgiver, righteous judge, just ruler, teacher, light, companion, womb of life, mother and father, protector, guider, caller, observer, hearer, keeper, source, nourisher, sower, restorer….
This innumerable list of images and names, which I’m sure you can add to, speaks to the human inability to capture God in a word. What a gift, that we can name God in so many ways, in so many times and places, from our diverse human experiences and locations. But how humbling, too, to know that whatever names we place on God are ultimately limiting. For God is beyond human categorizations. God is indeed holy. Consider, this week, as you prepare for worship, what names and images you use for God, and why. What images make you uncomfortable and what images help you find a home in the divine?
I hope that as we dig deeper into the Lord’s prayer, we can all deepen our own prayer lives. Our congregational care committee has begun a new prayer ministry, receiving your prayers as offerings each Sunday during worship, and praying for you throughout the week. Inspired by this prayer team, may we be a congregation of prayer…looking for a place to start? Begin by saying the Lord’s prayer each day throughout this series, and then see how your life is transformed.
Join us on Sunday as we worship, sing, read Scripture, offer our gifts, and pray together, in the name of the One who is beyond all names. See you then, and think about who you can invite to come with you.
Grace and Peace,
Kate
