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IN THIS PRAYER YOU INVENT MANY NAMES FOR JESUS. Imitate the Psalmist who was not satisfied with the usual names of God like Lord, Saviour, King, but, with the creativity that comes to a heart full of love, invents new ones. “You are my rock,” he says, “my shield, my fortress, my delight, my song …”

So, give vent to your creativity: Jesus, my joy… Jesus, my strength… Jesus, my love… Jesus, my delight… Jesus, my peace…

Each time you breathe out, recite one of these names. If a particular name appeals to you say it more than once. Or recite it once and then rest lovingly in it for a while saying nothing… then take up another name… rest in it… and move on to another…

Now comes the part of the exercise that you may find moving:

Imagine you hear Jesus inventing names for you! What do you feel when you hear him call you by these names?

People frequently turn away from listening to the loving words that Jesus is saying to them. It is more than they can take — too good to be true. So, they either hear Jesus say negative things to them like Sinner… etc., or else they go blank and hear him say nothing! They still have to discover the God whose love for them is unconditional and infinite and to let themselves feel loved by God. That is just what this exercise will help them do.

Go one step further now and imagine you hear Jesus inventing names for you — the very same names that you invented for him — except those that directly express divinity… Do not be afraid to expose yourself to the intensity of his love.

There is a facet of the personality of Christ Jesus, a “face” of Christ Jesus, which is proper to each one of us, so that each one of us can in truth speak of “my Jesus” — not just piously, but in a deep theological and doctrinal sense.

There is a profoundly interpersonal love relationship between Christ Jesus and me — one opening out onto my social responsibilities and commitments in Christian witness and mission.

Maybe the names that Jesus calls you give you a sense of your unique God-given Name of Grace…

[1] Anthony de Mello, Sadhana— a way to God.