Today’s Gospel reminds me of that famous quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” We seem to have that sort of attitude in today’s society. People have started naming their kids after things they enjoy: a-RON-zhello and le-MON-zhello. You know Orange Jelllo, Lemon Jello? Those might seem silly and maybe even an urban legend. But hundreds have named their children Tesla after the car, fanta after the soda, and even Maybelline after the cosmetics. Our political journalists are even arguing over whether our first lady elect should use an honorific title like “Doctor.” Titles are often seen as stuffy or “I’m better than you.”
But we see the people have a completely different attitude about John’s name in the Gospel, though. Circumcision had become the most important ceremony in a person’s life, and the name was so essential to tradition that the people who came to circumcise John already thought they knew his name. They were going to call him Zechariah after his father, as was their custom. John was not a name anyone in their family had used. It was something new. Something different. So different than when Elizabeth demanded they use John, they went to the father, to Zechariah, to make sure that it was ok.
That’s because names have meaning; they have value. This Gospel reminds me of this beautiful couple who used to visit our schools. Hank and Joyce came to teach us stories about the bible. At least that’s what I remember. Hank would talk in this soothing voice, and Joyce would draw with chalk. At the end of their lesson, they would choose a child from the audience and give them the drawing. I remember not being allowed to go to those assemblies. Not because of the religious content, but because they were called “Uncle Hank and Aunt Joyce.” I was not allowed to refer to them like that because “they were not my aunt and uncle.”
That may seem odd to some, but it instilled in me the value of specific titles and names, especially when the family is involved. We all know how important or warm we feel when someone remembers our name. As a parent, I also understand that some titles that we use are for the family alone. Only my daughters call me dad. I know my dad’s name is Kenny, but I don’t call him that. He’s my dad. Dad means more. It is not that Kenny isn’t the right name; the title dad is who he is to me. It’s an endearment. An expression of intimacy. His title is a word that expresses a relationship, a family bond.
The name John expressed who God had revealed John would be. The man who would make straight the paths of the Lord. John would be a prophet, an evangelist, a baptizer. A man so holy and important that Jesus called him Elijah. Most of all, John would point to Jesus instead of to Himself. That’s because Jesus is essential to our relationship with God. Tomorrow, at the Vigil Mass, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Through the Incarnation, God restores us to a proper relationship with Him, and even more so, gives us the right to call Him Father.
As we prepare ourselves for these last hours of Advent before the Christmas season begins, I think we should meditate on the Incarnation and how that this event makes it possible for us to say the words we will say in just a moment during the liturgy of the Eucharist. “Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name.” Because those words… those words are an intimacy reserved to family.
A homily for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Advent: December 23rd, 2020
For those of you who remember Hank and Joyce I wanted to offer the following information. While Joyce has passed from this world to the next wife, Hank is residing at the Laurels in Norton, VA. This is a status update from a Facebook post about him.
Due to Covid 19 concerns, his social life is not what it once was. When I asked if I could share his address he consented, adding that letters and cards certainly do break the monotony. Please add this incredible guy to your Christmas card list and maybe send him a line or two telling him about your memories of him or just about your daily life. He would be very appreciative!There isn’t a lot we can do for each other these days, especially those confined to their living facilities, but we can send a simple letter or card to cheer them. Please do!Rev. Henry Hemond c/o The Laurels5635 BSG Drive (Suite #311)Norton, VA 24273