Reflection by Joseph Grabowski
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When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.” (Luke 2:39 NRSVCE)
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What’s in a name? For us, it’s normal to see the last name Smith or Miller and not think anything of it, but throughout history the family name could have defined what we did, such as working as a blacksmith or at a mill. During Jesus’ time, especially for the Jewish people, it was common to be known by your father’s name, as we see Jesus refer to “Simon, son of Jonah.”
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Jesus is called many things throughout the Gospels, but what he’s referred to the most is “Jesus of Nazareth.”
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Nazareth, a small, unimportant town in the time that Jesus lived, would become Jesus’ home. A home he shared with Joseph and Mary. We don’t know too much about Jesus’ childhood, but we can infer by Mary’s words upon finding Jesus at the temple, “Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” (Lk. 2:48), that Jesus grew up in a loving and respectful relationship with Joseph.
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Our early years are so important and formation as the things that we learn in youth follow us through life. Undoubtedly, Jesus would have learned so much from Joseph. From Joseph’s sense of humor, his idioms, and how to tell stories – to practical things like how to provide for the family or how to follow the Law as a devout Jew.
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As He began His ministry, Jesus must have been so excited to return to Nazareth, back to His home. Yet, when He arrived to teach in His synagogue, the synagogue He grew up attending, the people scoffed at Him: “Is he not the carpenter’s son?” (Mt. 13:55). How much anguish Jesus must have had that He did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith (13:58).
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Jesus never shunned his hometown and continued to be “Jesus of Nazareth” through His Crucifixion. That is the name that we see the most, every time we look at a crucifix, we see what Pilate ordered to be inscribed above His head: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” His epitaph: INRI.
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This Lent, we are called to develop a deeper, personal relationship with Jesus. We are called to be members of His family; we, too, are children of the Father. How do we take His name?
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One day, we’ll leave this earthly world behind. What will our epitaph read? Will it read {First Name, Last Name}, Follower of Christ? Are we willing to let our name mean something more? Are we willing to offer it all to Him?
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Joseph Grabowski is a Pre-Theology I year seminarian from the Archdiocese of Newark.
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