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Posts Tagged ‘fellowship’

Power of a Name

Posted in Ordinary Time, tagged , , , , , on August 31, 2009| Leave a Comment »

John 17:11b-12a
“…protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me….” [Jesus praying]

I read a lot of fantasy and the power of person’s “true name” is peppered throughout these stories. The norm is that there is power in a person’s true name. If someone knows a person’s true name, it’s mystical knowledge and one can compel the person in some way by using the name.

This probably evolved from scripture (and other religious literature), the power of a name. Historically, at least in Jewish culture, God’s name could not even be spoken. Instead, letters were used as a placeholder for the name, YHWH, in writing, and verbally, people extolled God’s characteristics instead: Mighty One, Holy One, etc.

But in this passage, we have Jesus referring to the power of God’s name and the power of the name God gave to Jesus. The primary attributes of these names are protection and the consummation of relationship. God gave Jesus a name and Jesus is giving us a name. In other passages, Jesus encourages us to use His name while praying or making supplications. It’s common practice today to end a prayer with the phrase, “in the name of Jesus.” We are working the promised power of His name. But what does all this really mean? I wish I knew.

In recent years, people have become more and more interested in the meanings of their names. I think that’s a good thing. Parents choose more carefully. And in some cultures, parents even create unique names as gifts to their children.

My name, Irmgarde, means guardian of a small space. When I discovered that meaning (and not the one my mother had always told me), I found myself walking it out with a kind of power. I found a contentment in a name I have found difficult to carry over the years.

When we adopted our teen aged daughter three years ago, one of her requests was that we would “rename” her. She wanted to give us that authority. Her new name would be a sign of her new life. As a family, we decided on Liliana Victoria, a beautiful name. Liliana is a derivative of Lily which is a symbol for purity. And Victoria is the feminine form of victory. Both meanings are powerful for her and she has embraced them.

And yet, there is still that “true name” underneath them all. There is the name that God gave to Jesus and the name Jesus gives to us. When we accept Christ, we are given a new name just like my daughter was given a new name. It’s a mystery. For now, we can use the characteristics, much as we do for God. We are children of God… babe chicks under His wings… His beloved … His bride. Many different relationships are expressed in these descriptions. But there is single name for each of us that makes us ONE with God. That’s the name I seek…. one day I’ll hear that name called and I’ll know.

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Belonging

Posted in Ordinary Time, tagged , , , , , , , on August 30, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Psalm 24:1; John 17:6a
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me…” [Jesus]

This “belonging” business is not easy for those of us from a contemporary culture. First of all, there’s the negative side of belonging advanced by slavery and other human trafficking. That idea doesn’t sit well with us: someone owning another person. Nor is there any appeal for being treated as a trading card, traded up or down. Actually, most teen angst is centered around belonging … or rather, not belonging to a particular group or clique.

Fortunately, there’s the nicer side of belonging, like belonging to a family, a club, a church, a neighborhood, a team, or a community. Then, we may feel a lot cozier and comfortable with the notion. Or talk to any two young lovers and they’ll happily embrace the idea of belonging to one another.

The concept of belonging or not belonging can be powerful stuff.

But I’m thinking these verses from John 17 are more inclusive, particularly when combined with Psalm 24. Everything and everyone belongs to God who gave this kingdom to Jesus with the mandate of bringing the people of Earth back to God. Earlier in the chapter [vs 4], Jesus said he accomplished this task. The transfer of power has been completed. The turnabout began back then. The next part of the story is ours… receiving what Jesus offers and integrating the truth of Jesus into our lives.

In verse 10, Jesus says again that everything that God has is His and everything that Jesus has is God’s. But the same is true for us. Everything that Jesus has can be ours and vice versa. We belong to Him already.

To resist Jesus is like saying we don’t want to be human anymore. But we belong to each other too. Let’s start acting like it.

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Words of Jesus

Posted in Ordinary Time, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 3, 2009| Leave a Comment »

John 8:51
“I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

The words of Jesus are a big deal. So often, we gloss over these almost unbelievable statements that Jesus made while teaching.

In Jesus’s time and for many centuries before and afterward, the spoken word was the primary way of communicating. People would seek out those who were knowledgeable or anointed in order to hear them speak. They would come away from these experiences changed.

Sometimes, even today, this can happen. We will hear of a person who speaks with great charisma and authority that we want to see and hear him/her in person. But, we’re busy people. We seldom “drop everything” just to go and hear someone speak. So, in an effort to recreate these opportunities, we seek out videos of live events, recordings and podcasts, or YouTube. But it’s not quite the same. Not really.

Oh, yes, we now live in the Information Age. If it’s not recorded, then it’s written down. Thousands and thousands of words are being transmitted every day. The written word is everywhere: Internet sites (and blogs like this one), books, magazines, phone texting, and email, just to name a few. We are communicating more and more virtually. But the written word, though powerful in many ways, can never replace the power of the spoken word in person.

This is especially true in relationships. To connect with one another we need to hear and see one another. True communication is a full body experience. Without all the cues, there are lots interpretations that can ensue. We must be willing to gather together.

We cannot go back and experience Jesus in person. We only have a written record. This record, the scriptures, has been cut up, translated, redefined, interpreted, and analyzed by thousands of people, from scholars to backwoods preachers. We are a long way from a firsthand experience.

In the end, it’s just between Christ and me. What do I understand when I read His Words? What do I hear when I speak His Words out loud? What words of Jesus resonate within me? What decisions will I make? What words will I keep? What words will I believe?

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