The theme of “name” pervades today’s liturgy. In the book of Numbers, God asks Aaron and his children to bless the Israelites and put his Name on them. Its truth shines through in the name that is imposed on the son of Mary, “Jesus”, which means “God saves”. The one revealed to Moses at the burning bush was a name that could not be pronounced. Now, due to the fact that the Son of God receives a human name, the name of God also becomes a pronounceable name, as Paul announces to the Galatians: “that you are children is proved by the fact that God sent the Spirit of his into our hearts Son, who cries: Abbà! Father”. God had ordered the Israelites not to pronounce his name. In Jesus, in his Spirit, we can now do it. Maybe like babies starting to stammer a few syllables. The unpronounceable name becomes a name that only a child can pronounce correctly. And we all have to become like children to say this name in the right way, to invoke it as it should be invoked, and thus perceive on us the face of the Father who turns to give us his grace, his gaze that rests on us to give us peace. This is a great mystery: we need Mary’s silence, her attention, her receptivity, to keep him and meditate on him. In the patience of time, in the vital wisdom of a womb.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey