A few years ago I went with my dad to a business dinner. He introduced me to different business associates and as I shook their hands, he would say, "this is my son, Aries." He pronounced my name "AIR - REES" like the Greek God. As I shook their hands I would say, "Hi, Aires (pronounced Iris), nice to meet you." Around the third time this episode occurred, my dad looked me in the face and stressed the pronunciation to my face "AIR - REES."
Why didn't he tell me that earlier?! For my entire life I have been pronouncing my name one way, and on this particular night, my dad decided to change it all up. I probably would have preferred being called Aries for my entire high school life. It sure would have made life so much easier back then. And don't even let me tell you what name I use for a coffee order...
I was actually named after a doctor from Dublin, Ireland, who worked at the same hospital as my mom, and lived in the same apartment complex as my parents when they first immigrated to the states. He helped my parents get acclimated to this country, showing them how to ride the bus, and get around Seattle. In gratitude, my parents named me after him. I guess he had a pretty heavy Irish accent. Between his Irish brogue and my dad's Filipino accent, who knows how my name is actually said!
Pope Francis, in 2015, said
"Children, once born, begin to receive, along with nourishment and care, the spiritual gift of knowing with certainty that they are loved. This love is shown to them through the gift of their personal name, the sharing of language, looks of love, and the brightness of a smile.
In this way, they learn that the beauty of human relationships touches our soul, seeks our freedom, accepts the difference of others, recognizes and respects them as a partner in dialogue... such is love, and it contains a spark of God's love!"
To receive a name is to be shown love. Even our name contains a spark of God's love.
My prayer for all of us today is that when we hear our name, we are reminded of the loving care with which our name was given to us, and in that small but profound act, we find the living presence of love.
