I would say, a lot.  No wonder then that the second commandment maintains the importance, dignity and holiness of God's name.  Imagine how people would react during roll calls when their names are mispelled or mispronounced.  A foreigner once pronounced Cecilia as Ke-ki-lia. I have a former teacher and grade school scoutmaster who had his surname changed through court procedures as it apparently didn't sit well with his personality.  His name was Mr. Panti. 

     Baptismal rites are most often "enjoyable" upon hearing the names being given by parents to their children.  Gone are the days when saintly names echoed through the deepest recesses of the sanctuary . . . Procopio, Procopia, Perpetua, Felicidad . . . Tecla (who, by the way, was a loyal follower of Saint Paul). 

     Even religious of long ago would adopt a "new name" to signify the birth of a new person in Christ and the death of the former.  An old nun was named "Sor Jesusa dela Circumcision."  Another one was named "Sr. Clarinet of the Divine Symphony," indeed, very divinely musical!  Have you heard of "Sr. Margarita of the Blessed Sacrament - EXPOSED?!"

BAPTISMAL GLITZ

     Once a priest was surprised to hear the litany of names of children being baptized . . . Candy, Honey, Chocolate, Sweet . . . I just wonder why these people couldn't be "nationalistic" and creative enough in choosing names. What about Arnibal? Pakumbo? Bukayo? Panutsa?  And yes, Tira-tira?

     Reynalyn was named after her parents, Reynaldo and Linda.  Jomarie's parents are Jomar and Marie.  Lizardo's parents are Liza nd Edgardo.  One child's mother was Consolacion and the father was Domingo.  The baby was aptly named "Condom."  (I hope that the nickname wouldn't be "Trust." Remember, Pro-Life po tayo!)

     To the priest's horror, a boy was named Toyota.  He argued with the parents.  The father questioned the fact that his two other children were baptized just the same.  Their names: Mercedes and Celeste.  The priest gave in.  "Okay, bibinyagan na po natin si Toyota.  Ano po gusto ninyong ibuhos, diesel o gasolina?"

A GOD WHO IS HERE

     Emmanuel evokes tranquility as it literally assures us of God's loving presence.  It's the ultimate assurance; the very core of evangelization. Needless to say, God's presence brings forth joy, happines, peace, strength, hope.  The name Emmanuel is a living call to trust and believe in God's unfathomable love characterized by His being a God who is near . . .a God who is here!

     When I was a child, my father worked as a security guard for the Madrigals.  There were instances when he would take his duty "straight" in the absence of his alternate.  That would mean that I would not see him at night and sleep beside him. (Being "bunso" for eleven years, I grew up sleeping with my parents until my mother felt it was time to let go - of my sleeping habit - when I turned twelve).  Young as I was, I felt a different kind of emptiness whenever my father would not show up at night.  I felt sad and incomplete.  His presence spelled out security.

     Emmanuel is something that we experience in the sacraments most specifically in the eucharist.  The breaking of the bread and the reception of holy communion gives us a mysterious feeling of affirmation that God's presence is something that we experience in the concrete.  The mass excites me . . . God's presence brings out the child in me:  I have to do good; make the celebration meaningful for His people; deliver a good homily; encourage the readers, lay ministers, acolytes and choirs do good as well (and the collectors to be charming and accomodating to ensure positive response from the churchgoers).  One can never afford to be mediocre in God's presence! 

     Mother Teresa of Calcutta admonishes the priests: "Say this mass as if it were your first mass . . .your last mass . . . your only mass."  Indeed, the God who is with us deserves only the best.

GOD'S PRESENCE EXCITES

     Creative liturgy involves young children dancing with tambourines during the Gloria;  catechists preparing symbolic offering and giving the most august description and meaning to every item being offered (never mind if sometimes the enumerations seem to be the nearest thing to forever, giving the most unimaginable description even to the lowly "saging at papaya"; acolytes using palayok as scencer even if, most of the time, it makes me cough until the mass' end.  After all, if we can welcome our visitors with the most colorful trimmings of a fiesta, God's presence demands nothing less. 

     I remember once I wanted to spice up the mood of my parishioners who went to mass gloomy because our place was waterless for three days.  I used the wireless microphone and started asking questions to the churchgoers; I walked down the aisle and engaged in a delightful spiritual conversation with my people.  Before I knew it, I was carried away and found myself already talking to the sidecar drivers outside the church! 

     I told you, God's presence sometimes excites me no end . . .

GOD'S PRESENCE: A REASON ENOUGH

     Emmanuel . . . the greatest revelation!  God's presence . . . His greatest gift to us! And it happened on the first Christmas Day.

     God is with us.  It is reason enough for us to be happy in spite of the hardships we encounter these days.  It is reason enough for us to feel good in the coming of each and every fresh new day.  It is reason enough for us to be strong and not give in to fear and anxiety.  It is reason enough for us to become productive Christians knowing that there is somebody who continually "cheers" for us in every victory and encourages us to stand up again whenever we falter. It is reason enough for us to "impress" him with the way we live our lives . . . indeed, a reason enough for us to continue loving life and living.  This makes Christmas and life in general meaningful.

     Now that God is with us . . . may we be able to share his presence with others!

     Emmanuel . . . a name which evokes hope. 

     What's in a name again?  Nothing really . . . but in this case, much. 

     I have a friend who is named Inday.  There seems to be really nothing in the name. Fine.  It's just that . . . he's a priest and a man!