I was christened Zenaida by my parents. My sisters were named Elvira, Flaviana, Ma. Estrella, all names of saints.
During those days parents named their children after the saints posted in calendars. Supposedly, the children would take their characters after the saints they were named.
In recent years, especially in the advent of television, parents tend to name their children after their favorite celebrities, like Susan (from Susan Roces), Tita (from Tita Duran), Lucinda (from a character in a telenovel).
My own children were named Michael(from a baby book of names with meaning of illustrious), Russel (from a favorite superior) and Harold Irwin (named after book authors).
What about you, how do you name your children?
Below is a reflection from the Kerygma Family by Fr. Bobby Titco.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
What is your name? What is your shape? These days, most of our names do not say anything anymore about who we are and what we are like. The ancient Romans would rise in protest against the way we choose names for our children. They believed that “nomen est omen,” i. e., “the name is the destiny” or better yet “the destiny is in the name.”
There was a young Jew from the island of Cyprus who belonged to the first Christian community. His name was Joseph but the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” St. Luke describes Barnabas as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” He encouraged many believers to persevere in their faith. He did this by living according to the teachings of the Lord in word and in deed.
When Saul was converted and became Paul, he presented himself to the apostles and received a rather cold reception, if not suspicion, because he had been the unrivaled persecutor of Christians. To avoid any harm coming to Paul, the leaders made sure that Paul was soon deported to Tarsus.
But Barnabas believed in Paul and encouraged him in his new life. And when he was commissioned by the apostles to oversee the Church in Antioch, he sought out Paul and requested him to be his “auxiliary bishop.” For one full year, Barnabas and Paul ministered there. The fraternal bond between Barnabas and Paul, however, did not end in Antioch. They also went together in various missionary journeys, encouraging others to persevere in the faith. When Paul pursued other missionary frontiers alone, he extended to others the encouragement he himself received from Barnabas.
Encouragement gives shape to anyone’s life. It promotes the best in the other. It sees beyond faces into the other’s heart. Encouragement is investing time, talent and treasure in the person of the other. In this way, encouragement’s other name is love — and we are called to mirror this to others to help them into the shape of their names, to become who they are meant to be. Fr. Bobby Titco
Reflection Question:
Is there a person around you who needs encouragement? Be a “Barnabas” to him.
Lord, heal my brokenness and put me together again each time I fall so that, with You, I may help others into the shape of their human dignity. Amen.
St. Zoe, pray for us.
