That famous quote illustrates Juliet's refusal to let Romeo's name poison her love for him. How many feuds like that between the Montegues' and Capulets' derive from names even centuries after the original dispute? The Hatfield/McCoy feud went on for three decades, from 1863 to 1891! And, here's a piece of trivia for you, the dispute was resurrected in the 1970s on the game show, Family Feud, where both sides benefited financially from the outcome. The McCoys won but didn't amass as much money as the Hatfields so the game show filled the gap. I guess they didn't want to be the source of a new feud.
Here in the Valley a number of names are like lightening rods. We used to take horseback riding lessons with a man with the surname Sheridan. He was leery about naming his property with his name because of the anger that still resonates here against the man responsible for burning the Valley, General Philip Sheridan. Families often have long memories that fuel long grievances.
The Old Testament is filled with war stories. One is linked directly to a name. Saul is outraged when the name of David is honored above his own:
And the servants of Achis, when they saw David, said to him: Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to him in their dances, saying: Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? [1 Samuel 21:11]
The rivalry goes on described in great detail in several Old Testament books before Saul and his son, Jonathan, David's friend, are killed in battle.
Today we celebrate the holy name of Jesus. It's significant that the angel told Joseph to give the child the name Jesus, not Mary. His fatherhood was affirmed by that act of the Holy Ghost. When John was born, Elizabeth said that the boy was to be named John, but affirmation of that was addressed to Zachariah. When he wrote that the child's name was John his tongue was loosed and he glorified God.
The name of Jesus can be a lightning rod too. How many religious wars have smothered the world map in blood? Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Wisdom, Counselor, and yet we see little peace.
Why is that?
Because the world does not recognize Jesus and His Kingship. His name is Wonderful, but many hate Him. How can we change that? Like the early Christians did who amazed the world by their love for one another, and even for their enemies and those who persecuted them.
Today my husband and I will follow our rosary with the Litany to the Holy Name of Jesus. Won't you join us? And if you are reading this on another day, remember that time is all one with God. Don't miss the opportunity to praise Jesus in His wonderful names!
Good reflection and an important one, but Mary was in fact told the name of Jesus by the angel: Lk. 1:31.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anonymous. I wasn't very clear. My point was that the father was the one to confirm the name of the child. Joseph was not the physical father of Jesus but God confirmed his fatherhood in every other way. We know a lot more about him than scripture tells us thanks to the Fathers of the Church. I love the book The Life and Glories of St. Joseph.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is true. I now get the point you were trying to make. Thank you!
DeleteAn angel told both Mary and Joseph that the child's name was to be Jesus. Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1:31, and "the angel of the Lord" told Joseph in Matthew 1:21. Luke 2:21 only says that "...he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."
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