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.… As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.”
Genesis 17:3-5, 15
Give: new names
Abram and Sarai receive new names in this encounter with God. Peter (originally Simon), present in the gospel reading, also got a new name from Jesus. Paul, who wrote the letter to the Romans, used to be called Saul. All of them received a new name and a new identity in the light of God’s grace. So did each of us who crossed through the waters of baptism: we’re called children of God.
Do you know someone who has experienced liberation through changing their name? Perhaps a trans person finally has a name that reflects who God created them to be. Perhaps a domestic violence survivor has reclaimed their former surname after leaving an abusive marriage. Today, make a gift to support organizations who help one of these groups.