Ben and Marcy follow an unconventional process, for 2010, when naming their children. They wait until the child is born, and with a handful of names they have favored, spend time learning about the child and studying his personality. Then they assign the right name with the bundle they hold. It must have been an impressive meeting of minds in those first few moments!
There is a lot of history that follows the name of Titus. Titus Flavius Vespasianus earned acclaim in his two short years as Roman Emperor for his military command and for his public building projects such as completing the Colosseum— and for his generosity in relieving the suffering caused by two disasters, the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 and the fire of Rome of 80. Interesting that in 2010 Titus Adam is born when the Haitian earthquake wrecked an entire population. He may be linked to mission and relief help long before he knows how to pound a hammer or say “Here I am Lord!”
Rather than the Roman Emperor, I believe Titus draws his namesake from the New Testament. Paul called Titus his “true son in common faith” (Titus 1:4) and wrote the Epistle to Titus giving advice and instruction to a young preacher assigned a difficult task. “Titus, show them what they should do in all matters by the good things you do. Do not mix your teaching with things that are not true. Teach in such a way that people will respect you.” (2:7 Worldwide English). Respect! There’s that word again! But he is encouraged to teach and act in a way that earns respect, not relying on people’s fickle interpretation of a name.
Marcy and Ben have ensured that they have evoked an army of saints as they raise Titus not only with their own words of wisdom, but at their ready with a handbook addressed to his name, tested in words and deeds throughout the centuries, and kept vitally alive as an example of how to do the right thing.
Welcome Titus! You have already encouraged us to live and act better! We are blessed by you, Levi and your parents, and by God whom we praise!
4God who saves us showed how kind and good he is.
5We were not saved by any good things we did ourselves, but he saved us because he is so kind. He washed us clean. We were born again as a new person. The Holy Spirit has made us new.
6God is rich. And he gave the Holy Spirit to us because of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
7He did this so that we can be put right with God, by his kindness. He did this so that we can become his children. So now we can look forward to everlasting life.
8These are true words. And I want you to tell the people these things. Then those who have believed God will try to do good things. These things are right and help people.
13Our people should learn to spend their time in doing good things to help people who are poor. In that way, our people will not waste their time. Greet those who believe as we do and who love us. God bless you all.
(Titus 3:4-8,13 -Worldwide English)