The Sign of the Cross
September 1, 2008
Morning prayer
The daily office in the Celtic Daily Prayer begins with the sign of the cross which is optional. Some who are not in the habit (pun unintended) experience some discomfort with body gestures accompanying prayer. This is worth exploring for yourself.
Often I used to jump into saying my prayers without much first pausing to consider what I was about to do. I discovered that my tendency to hurry plays into this. In order to slow myself down, I began to experiment with the sign of the cross.
What started as a technique for eliminating hurry in prayer has become now a holy moment of reflection, composure, and paying attention to paying attention to God. Doing the sign of the cross reminds me where I stand. Before a Holy God who is interested in my presence to Him. The beginning of prayer happens when I respond to the standing invitation to enter into the presence of the Holy Trinity. I invite myself and accept the invitation into this Holiness through the sign of the cross.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_cross#Origins_of_the_sign_of_the_cross) .
Google “sign of the cross” to learn more about this sign.
The origin of this sign, which is common among Catholic and Orthodox Christians, predates both (between 100-200 A.D.). I confess that I felt sheepish when I started “crossing myself” again as an evangelical Christian. But I got over it. Now, more often than not, I take my time doing the sign of the cross and have developed a little Liturgy of the Sign.
I start by signing a cross on my forehead as I say, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Keep my thoughts pure and renew my mind today O Holy Trinity.”
I continue by signing a cross over my heart as I say, “guard my heart today O Holy Trinity as from it flow fountains of life.”
I end with crossing both shoulders saying “help me to use my strength for
You, O Holy Trinity. Amen.”
Another liturgy I use as I cross myself are the words of Psalm 1. Bless me O Holy Trinity as I follow not the advice of the wicked; or take not the path that sinners tread; or sit not in the seat of scoffers.
How do you feel about the sign of the cross? Do you practice it? What does it mean for you?
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