Sacred Names, Sacred Closeness

“Love you, Liz,” my mother called as we walked out the door.

“Love you, too, Momma,” I replied.

My then-boyfriend (now-husband) whispered, “Did she just call you ‘Liz’? Does she call you that often?”

“Yeah, I guess she does,” I replied. I had never really thought about it before that moment.

Not many people know that my full first name is Elisebeth (pronounced just like Elizabeth), and most everyone calls me Elise. The only person I have ever known to call me ‘Liz’ or ‘Lizzie’ is my mom. But when she says it, I don’t think twice about it. It sounds perfectly normal.

As I stopped to reflect upon this, I realized something profound. If anyone else in the world called out the name ‘Liz,’ I would not so much as turn my head or pause to wonder if they might be speaking to me. There is something uniquely special—sacred, even—about my mother’s voice calling out to me. For my mother is the one who has known me the longest on this earth, the one who bestowed upon me this name.

In today’s beautiful Resurrection Gospel, Mary Magdalene finally recognizes Jesus at the sound of His voice calling her name (see John 20:16). Do we recognize the Lord’s voice when He calls to us? Have you heard Him speak your name, sister?

Mary Magdalene had a deep faith and a heart filled with devotion for Christ. They shared a close friendship, an intimacy nurtured over years of journeying together.

Jesus longs for a similar relationship with each of us. It is He Whom our heart should love above all else. May we seek Him and spend time with Him each day, listening closely for the voice of the One Who calls us by name.

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Have you heard Him speak your name, sister? // @inendlesssongClick to tweet

Meditate on God's call out to you in prayer. How does He call His beloved daughter?