Several
web pages have popped up around the Internet where people post pictures of how
their names were misspelled by their barista. For example, a woman named
Michelle posted a picture of a cup with her name spelled “Missle.” A customer
named Erin received a cup inscribed “AIR INN.” Yvonne and Caitlin received cups
with “Evan” and “Kitten” written on them.1 To be fair, it can be
awfully loud around those machines, and when the coffeehouse is crowded, it’s
easy to mishear a name. But there are times where the employees may have been
going for a laugh — like the case of a man who reportedly told the person
behind the counter at McDonald’s that his name was “Stephen with a ph,” and
received a receipt marked, “Phteven.”2
We can laugh
when our names are misspelled on our cup of caffeine, but at other times, the
way people address us matters. Mom and Dad may have names for us they’ve used
since we were small. Friends from high school and college might use a nickname
we earned on the court or field, or for something for which we are far less
proud. Military officers are addressed by their rank, and other jobs come with
titles by which one may be addressed, such as “Pastor.” When our siblings have
children, we receive the name “Aunt” or “Uncle.” When we become a spouse, we
may be called “Honey,” “Dear” or “Sweetheart.” When we become parents, someone
begins to call us “Mom” or “Dad.”
We have so many more names than the
one on our birth certificate. When those are used, they say something about the
relationships we have with the ones addressing us. Sometimes they reflect
professionalism, sometimes familiarity and oftentimes love.
Naming
Jesus
Throughout today’s scripture lesson
and the entirety of Jesus’ passion narrative in Mark, we hear people struggling
to name Jesus. As he enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the
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