Reverence of God’s Name

This may be a simple idea but I suppose it is worth emphasizing. It is reverence for God’s name.

We, Filipinos, are known for our brand of spirituality. Even the popes, who visited the Philippines have glowing words for us. This is something we are proud of which we should cherish, continue and improve on. Ten millions of us are abroad and are said to be the evangelizers where they are living. Filipinos fill up the Catholic church in foreign countries and volunteer in the church services. In the thousands of parishes and chapels in our country, the faithful serve with love and dedication.

When you ride, you would know the Catholics from the non-Catholics because of an action – the making of the sign of the Cross. As a practice, it is commendable. However, in almost every action, I am wondering if there is reverence. The issue of reverence is very visible in making the sign of the cross as compared with uttering the name of God in other prayers.

Let us first begin with addressing our parents. Almost always, we hear ourselves calling their names with respect and love. Even when we think of them, there is always the respect for them. Try to remember you thinking of them. Is it not with respect and love you call them or address them?

Our parents are the recognized heads or leaders of our families. Earthly as they are, we have learned to love them and this loving is a commandment from the Lord. Honor your father and your mother.

God is the Almighty One, Creator of heaven and earth. Such attributes can hardly be comprehended. God created us through our parents. Without His creation, we could not have existed. How do we relate to this one and only God of three divine persons?

Even if Jesus was sent to earth to redeem us and made us His brothers and sisters, the gratitude for this redemption should increase the love, appreciation and reverence we should have for our Lord and God.

We take a look at the Sign of the Cross. As we say In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we are mentioning the name of God. Is it with the appropriate reverence we are doing it and saying it? Is a hurried action with reverence? Is the habit without meditating, with reverence? Is the action while thinking about other things, with reverence? And when subsequent conversations and movements are rude, was the making of the sign of the Cross done with reverence? Shouldn’t every making the sign of the Cross be done slowly and with meditation on the awesomeness of the Three Divine Persons mentioned?

If we are convinced that the making of the sign of the cross must be done with reverence wherever we are, the desirable habit of making the sign of the Cross with reverence could be started and continued as a lifetime habit.

The reverence I am referring to is also true when we say our other prayers at mass, during novenas and other prayers. Each prayer should be done with meditation and reverence. This may sound superfluous, but when prayers are done meditatively and names of God, saints, angels and other holy men and women are mentioned with reverence, the prayer takes a certain fervor, elevating the person to a higher level of serenity.

This realization led me to pray slowly selected prayers proper for my purpose. I am not drawn anymore to just hurry with so many prayers which I cannot meditate on well.

Let us start with making the sign of the Cross, slowly with meditation showing reverence. Dear Lord, may we honor you as our God by the appropriate reverence due You!