Called by Name

Homily for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

In the Scriptures, names carry weight. To know a person’s name meant that one knew the person’s character. For instance, the angel told Mary to name her son Jesus because he was destined to be the Savior of the people. In fact, the name Jesus means “he who saves.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Mary of Magdala does not recognize Jesus when she meets him after she has told his disciples that he has been raised. However, her eyes are opened when he calls her by name. The name Mary has both Latin and Greek origins and may find its origin in the Hebrew name “Miriam.” In Hebrew the name Miriam means “beloved.” Some Scripture scholars even go so far as to identify Mary of Magdala as the beloved disciple who is mentioned three times in the Gospel of St. John but never identified by name. Nonetheless, Mary does recognize Jesus once he called her by name.

Each of us received our names when our parents presented us at the baptismal font. The importance of baptism and the name which we received at that time cannot be underestimated. In religious life, many received a new name remembering that in the writings of St. Paul we were declared “new” because of our consecrated life.

Several individuals in the Scriptures received new names when God chose them for a specific role. An example of this is found in the Book of Genesis where we read: “I have called you by name--you are mine. The LORD created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. But now this is what the LORD says, the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: Do not be afraid, because I've redeemed you.’”

Today’s Gospel reading, therefore, asks us all to remember that God calls us each by name and loves us as individuals. It is not enough to simply say that God loves his people. No, God loves each and every one of us. Jesus reminds us of this when he calls out to Mary in the garden where she has come to grieve the loss of her Master.