Wednesday, July 4, 2012
264. What is the meaning of the Christian name received at Baptism?
(Comp
264) The name is important because God knows each of us by name, that is, in
our uniqueness as persons. In Baptism a Christian receives his or her own name
in the Church. It should preferably be the name of a saint who might offer the
baptized a model of sanctity and an assurance of his or her intercession before
God.
“In
brief”
(CCC 2158) God calls each one by name (Cf. Isa 43:1; Jn 10:3).
Everyone's name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands
respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2167) God calls each one by name (cf. Isa 43:1). (CCC
2156) The sacrament of Baptism is conferred "in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19).
In Baptism, the Lord's name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name
in the Church. This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has
lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord. The patron saint provides a
model of charity; we are assured of his intercession. The "baptismal
name" can also express a Christian mystery or Christian virtue.
"Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see that a name is not given
which is foreign to Christian sentiment" (CIC, Can. 855). (CCC 2157) The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his
activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The baptized person dedicates the
day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in
the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in
temptations and difficulties.
On
reflection
(CCC 2158) God calls each one by name (Cf. Isa 43:1; Jn 10:3).
Everyone's name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands
respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it. (CCC 2159) The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the
kingdom, the mysterious and unique character of each person marked with God's
name will shine forth in splendor. "To him who conquers… I will give a
white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him
who receives it" (Rev 2:17). "Then I looked, and Lo, on Mount Zion
stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name
and his Father's name written on their foreheads" (Rev 14:1).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment