Reflections on Making the Sign of the Cross

I pray with the sign of the cross….

-because sometimes I am at a loss for words

-it reminds me Christ is always near

-the way to life is the way of the cross

-prayer is more than silent words or thoughts in my head

-prayer is more than vocalized words, whether written prayers of the Church or extemporaneous

-the physical stuff of life matters to God

-it helps me embody my faith meaning faith is to be lived, not tucked away in my brain or heart

-Christians throughout the centuries have prayed this way and taught others to do the same

-it proclaims the basis of my faith as an enacted creed: “I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit”

-it is an act of sanctification setting myself apart for Christ

Scriptures to reflect on….

“Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” Romans 13:14

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I not live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:19b-20

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11

Liturgical Moments and Prayers aided by the Sign of the Cross…

-when the Priest or Celebrant says “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” or another phrase proclaiming the Trinity

-during the Absolution or Blessing when the Priest makes the sign of the cross over the people the people in the congregation cross themselves

-proclaiming belief in the resurrection during the creeds (“I believe in…the resurrection of the dead” –Apostles’ Creed; “We look for the resurrection of the dead…” –Nicene Creed)

-during Rite II Eucharist liturgies in the Book of Common Prayer when we sing or say, “Blessed is he who comes in the of the Lord”

-Before and/or after receiving the Eucharist

-at the proclamation of the Gospel many make the “little sign of the cross” using their thumb to make a cross over their forehead, mouth and heart

Read more about the sign of the cross here:

https://anglicancompass.com/the-sign-of-the-cross/