Sign of the Cross

As Catholics, the 'Sign of the Cross' is often used before and after our prayer. I noticed that from carelessness and habit of some persons, they do not make the Sign of the Cross, though they often intend to bless themselves. They put the hand only to the forehead and breast, or forehead and chin, or forehead and shoulders, etc. Some do not even touch the forehead. All these, it is true, are some signs and movement of the hand, but they are not the Sign of the Cross.

The 'Sign of the Cross' is one of the most important sacramental that is frequently used in the Catholic Church. Perhaps, people often mistaken sacramentals solely referred to tangible objects only. This simple gesture which we Catholics make thousands of times in our lives has a deeper meaning which most of us fail to realise. The two most common forms of this sacramental are the large sign of the cross made by touching the forehead, the breast, and the left and right shoulders. The cross thus covers the body (at least the most important members), the head and heart. The smaller sign of the cross is traced upon the forehead, lips and breast.

We make the Sign of the Cross by putting the right hand to the forehead, the on the breast, and then to the left and right shoulders; saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit. Amen" When we make the Sign of the Cross, it is a reminder of our baptism. It also brings to mind the general vocation that we as Catholics are called to.

"The Signs of the Ancient Prayer" by Bert Ghezzi,  shares six perspectives on the Sign of the Cross, revealing them as life-transforming graces. According to Ghezzi, the Sign of the Cross is :

1. A confession of Faith

The sign of the Cross is a profession of faith in God as He revealed Himself. It serves as an abbreviated form of the Apostles' Creed. Touching our forehead, breast and shoulders, we declare our belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are announcing our faith in what God has done- the creation of all things, the redemption of humanity from sin and death, and the establishment of the Church, which offers new life to all. When we sign ourselves, we are making ourselves aware of God's presence and opening ourselves to his action in our lives. That would be enough, wouldn't it? But there is much, much more.

2. Renewal of Baptism 

First century Christians began making the Sign of the Cross as a reminder and renewal of what happened to them when they were baptized. It still works the same way for us until today. When we sign ourselves, we are declaring that in baptism we died sacramentally with Christ on the cross and rose to a new life with Him. (See Rom 6:3-4 and Gal 2:20). We are asking the Lord to renew in us those baptismal graces. We are also acknowledging that baptism joined us to the body of Christ and equipped us for our role of collaborating with the Lord in His work of rescuing all people from sin and death.

3. Mark of Disciple

At baptism the Lord claimed us as His won by marking us with the Sign of the Cross. Now, when we sign ourselves, we are affirming our loyalty to Him. By tracing the cross on our bodies, we are denying that we belong to ourselves and declaring with belong to him alone (see LK 9:23). The church Fathers used the same word for the Sign of the Cross that the ancient world employed to indicate ownership The same word named a shepherd's brand on his sheep, a householder's mark on his servants, and the Lord's mark on His disciples. So signing ourselves recognises that we are Christ's sheep and can count on His care; His soldiers, commissioned to work with Him in advancing His kingdom on earth; and His servants, dedicated to doing whatever He tells us. 

4. Acceptance of suffering 

Jesus promised us, that suffering would be a normal part of a disciple's life (see Lk 9:23). So, when we mark our bodies with the sign, we are embracing whatever pain comes as a consequence of our faith in Christ. Making the sign is our "taking up the cross and following" Him (LK 9:23). But at the same time it comforts us with the realisation that Jesus, who endured the crucifixion for us, now joins us in our suffering and supports us. Signing ourselves also announces another significant truth : With St. Paul, we are celebrating that our afflictions as members of the body of Christ contribute to the Lord's saving work of perfecting the Church in holiness (see Col 1:24)

5. Move against the devil 

When the devil sent Jesus to the cross, he mistakenly believed he had won a great victory. Instead, the Lord surprised him with an ignominious defeat (See 1Cor 2:8). From the first Easter morning through the present, the sign of the cross makes the devil cower and flee. So on one level, making the sign is a defensive move, declaring our inviolability to the devil's influence. But more importantly, the sign is also an offensive weapon, helping us reclaim with Christ all that Satan lost at the cross. It announces our cooperation with Him in the indomitable advance of the kingdom of God against the kingdom of darkness. 

6. Victory over the flesh

In the New Testament, the word was made flesh sums up all the evil inclinations of our old nature that persist in us even after we die with Christ in baptism (see Gal 5:16-22). Making the sign of the cross expresses our decision to crucify these desire of the flesh and to live by the Spirit. Is just like tossing off a dirty shirt or blouse, making the sign indicates our stripping ourselves of our evil inclinations and clothing ourselves with the behaviors of Christ (see Col 3:5-15)

No matter how one technically makes the Sign of the Cross, the gesture should be made consciously and devoutly. We must be mindful of the Holy Trinity, that central dogma that makes Christians "Christians". We must also remember that we cross is the sign of our salvation: Jesus Christ, true God who became true man, offered the perfect sacrifice for our redemption from sin on the altar of cross. The simple yet profound act makes each person mindful the great love of God for us, a love that is stronger than death and promises everlasting life. The sign of the cross should be made with purpose and precision, not hastily or carelessly.

Therefore, let us not underestimate the "Sign of the Love," for when we reverently make the Sign of the Cross, it is not only a confession of faith, it is also a reminder of the price that Christ paid for our healing and redemption so that we can call God "Abba!Father!" and eventually come into His presence in the glory of the kingdom of heaven.