Each of us has a name given to us by our parents. Our names are precious to us. In Jesus' time names were meant to describe some aspect of the person. This is not much different today. Once you know someone's name then they are no longer a stranger, it is a gateway to friendship.
Today's Gospel tells us how Jesus got his name. Neither Mary nor Joseph picked it. God had it all sorted. They angel told Joseph to name him so that he would have a connection to him. Jesus is the Saviour and he will carry out his mission because he is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
In a world filled with empty ideologies the name of Jesus is a source of life for those who believe. There is no other name under which we are saved than Jesus. We cannot save ourselves, Jesus is the one saviour of mankind.
We know and believe that salvation is mediated through Christ. Jesus' name is at the heart of Christian Churches worldwide, also at the heart of Christian prayer, and it inspires love of the least of our brothers and sisters.
The name of Jesus Christ is also your name. The name of Jesus Christ brings salvation and life as well as struggle. Our mission is to make Jesus' name known to everyone. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Archbishop Miller then finished his homily by quoting from Pope Paul VI's pastoral visit to Manilla 40 years ago.
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