The sign
of the cross is an important part of the early Christian. This gesture is a
practice seen in all Catholic members, but should be adapted by all the people
who believe and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The Sign
of the Cross is a short prayer composed of 15 words. "In the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
In St.
Francis de Sales book, The Sign of the Cross, he teaches us how to
make it correctly and tells us why we Catholics do it the way we do. We must
make the Sign of the Cross with the right hand as it is perceived most worthy
among the two hands.
We begin the prayer by
placing our right hand on our forehead to acknowledge that God the Father is
the one from whom all things originate. Next, we move our hand down to our
stomach as a sign that Jesus proceeded from the Father. Lastly, we cross
ourselves from left shoulder to right shoulder to show that the Holy Spirit
proceeds from both the Father and the Son and that He is the bond of love
between Father and Son. Let that information sink in, and reflect on it going
forward each time you make the Sign of the Cross.
The
Cross is a sign which the devil hates, because through it, he was defeated. The
cross is a sign of God's triumph which proud people cannot comprehend. But as
followers of Jesus Christ, let us always wear it at all times.
