The meaning of your name

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Benedictus Antiphon- 'Confessor Dei Pretiose Columba'

The Monks of Pluscarden Abbey

Today is Thursday the 26th of March, in the fifth week of Lent.

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. So his love for our ancestors is fulfilled and his holy covenant remembered. He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence.”

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Today’s reading is from the Book of Genesis.

Genesis 17:3-9

Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.’

God said to Abraham, ‘As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.’

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Encounter

Simon Wester

Names matter. In the scriptures, encounters with the living God often lead to a change of name to reflect a new direction or a fresh calling given by God. What is the meaning of your name? How does your name reflect your relationship with God?

Have you ever been given, chosen, or lived with a new name or identity? What difference has this made in your life or faith?

God makes some extraordinary promises to Abraham – promises filled with hope, fruitfulness and a future beyond what seems possible. How are you included in the promises made to Abraham?

‘I will establish an everlasting covenant between me and you.’’ As the passage is read again, linger with these words.

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Genesis 17:3-9

Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.’

God said to Abraham, ‘As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.’

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What does it mean for you today to be in an everlasting relationship with the living God?

In these final moments of prayer, rest in God’s presence - the God who knows you by name, calls you into fullness of life and promises never to let you go.

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You have given all to me

To you, Lord, I return it

Everything is Yours

Do with it what You will

Give me only Your love and Your grace

That is enough for me

Amen