Called By Name

How many billions of people have existed on this planet since the beginning of human life? Countless billions, no doubt, yet each one of us has a name and God alone knows those names.  We love to hear our name called or recognized publicly or when greeting or being greeted by friends or strangers.  It's humbling to be known by name; we feel embarrassed even, and say to ourselves: "He (she) knows who I am, but I don't know him (her)!"  Of course the next step is to find out that person's name, (and try to remember it!), but nothing can replace the initial joy of being recognized by name.
We can then imagine the surprise and delight of Mary Magdalene when she heard the man she thought was the gardener call her by name.  It was then she recognized him as Jesus and her joy was even greater. She recognized him in the pronouncement of her name.  How would we feel to hear our name called by the One we so love?  Perhaps we could add to the joy of Jesus, but calling out his name frequently today, and by greeting others by their names along with our "Hi" or "Good morning."  "What's in a name?" asked Shakespeare?  Everything!
Bro. Rene