Br. Pachomius Walker, O.P., on Our Names and Our Relationship with God

"'Sorry, what was your name again?' I felt terrible for not remembering. I had spent the last minute trying to decide if I should ask his name (again) or just navigate the conversation without using any name at all. I chose the former. It was embarrassing, but for some reason I couldn't remember. As soon as he said his name, I was both grateful and validated - he didn't remember mine either! Ha! Now we could really get a conversation going.

"Even though this happens all too often (to me at least), common wisdom says that you should always ask again for the name - it shows people that you care about having a relationship with them. In fact, if you were to refuse to tell someone your name in an introduction, or if you were to tell them a fake name, you risk destroying the possibility of a relationship at all (not many people have real relationships with spies for instance). So, it makes sense that, at the beginning of any relationship, you introduce yourself with your name. 

"This same phenomenon happens when God appears to Moses. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother Pachomius Walker, O.P., reflected on how, at our Baptism, God calls us into a deep relationship with Him - the One who has called each of us by name.

To access Br. Pachomius' complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: The Invitation (20 APR 20)