We often make the Sign of the Cross as we begin and end our prayers, when we celebrate the Holy Mass, for others when they leave their homes or before driving their cars, or even when passing by a church. There are those who even do it mechanically and in a hurry. Making the Sign of the Cross has been a part of our lives.
Actually, the Sign of the Cross is in itself a very short prayer. With it, we appeal to God to make our prayers worthwhile and, at the same time, we profess two truths: the first is the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith which is the Holy Trinity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we say "In the name of," we profess that we believe that there is one God. We don't say "In the names of" stating it in singular and not plural. When we say, "the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," we state that we believe that in one God there are three Divine Persons. The second truth that we profess is the saving work of Christ on the Cross. This is shown as we trace the cross from our forehead to our breast and from our shoulder to shoulder. This short prayer of words and action is not just a statement of our belief, but it is a vow to defend that belief, even if it means taking our own cross to follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
In the Catholic Church there are three Signs of the Cross. All of them represent the Cross where Jesus died:
Actually, the Sign of the Cross is in itself a very short prayer. With it, we appeal to God to make our prayers worthwhile and, at the same time, we profess two truths: the first is the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith which is the Holy Trinity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we say "In the name of," we profess that we believe that there is one God. We don't say "In the names of" stating it in singular and not plural. When we say, "the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," we state that we believe that in one God there are three Divine Persons. The second truth that we profess is the saving work of Christ on the Cross. This is shown as we trace the cross from our forehead to our breast and from our shoulder to shoulder. This short prayer of words and action is not just a statement of our belief, but it is a vow to defend that belief, even if it means taking our own cross to follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
In the Catholic Church there are three Signs of the Cross. All of them represent the Cross where Jesus died:
- The gesture which Catholic faithful cross themselves. The symbolism of this gesture is as mentioned above.
- The one that the priest uses to bless the Congregation done in large gesture in the air done during the Mass and other rituals of the church
- The small ones which the priest or deacon will inscribe on the book of the Gospel using his thumb before it is opened and read, after which he repeats the gesture on his forehead, lips, and breast together with the Catholic congregation immediately before the reading of the Gospel in the Holy Mass. This is to pray the Word of God to be read may be instilled in the mind and the heart and be spoken by the mouth
Christ's
death transformed the Cross from an instrument of disgrace and death to a
symbol of victory and life. When we make the Sign of the Cross, we do not only
pray, but we also profess the message of the two truths mentioned above.
In 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NABRE), it states: "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
In 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NABRE), it states: "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Yes, there is power in the Sign of the Cross because it carries with it the message of God and in this message is God’s power.
SOURCES:
- About.com: Catholicism http://catholicism.about.com/b/2008/08/29/reader-question-why-do-catholics-make-the-sign-of-the-cross.htm
- Catholic Soul - Concise Essays in Catholic Apologetics by Edgardo C. de Vera- The Faith Explained by Leo Trese
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 232 - 237 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p2.htm#I
The actual longer prayer that goes along with this along with the Sign of the Cross as we pray:
ReplyDeleteIn the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
By the sign of the cross
deliver us from our enemies,
you who are our God.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.