"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
The Sign of the Cross is a symbol of our Christianity. Though simple in its elegance, its symbolism is very rich. The three-step motion is symbolic of the Trinitarian nature of God: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The physical motion in the shape of the cross is a sign of our redemption through the Cross of Christ.
The first three words, "In the name of …" represent more than meets the eye. In today’s culture, "In the name of" usually means when someone speaks on behalf of another. However, in biblical times, "In the name of" meant "In the presence of." So when we speak these words during the Sign of the Cross, we are acknowledging the presence of God today, right here, right now. It is not only a proclamation as an outward sign of our Christianity but also is an action that conditions our minds and hearts to experience the presence of God. This gives the Sign of the Cross an incredible power to help us recognize God’s presence whenever we want.
We use the Sign of the Cross to begin Mass. We bless ourselves with the Sign of the Cross at meals or when entering the church and dipping our hand into the Holy Water – the sign of our Baptism. It is used in the Sacraments and in simple prayer.
At the beginning of the Gospel, some people continue the tradition of using the Sign of the Cross as a special way to prepare themselves to hear the Word of God. Using their thumb, they make a small Sign of the Cross on their forehead, on their lips and on their heart. This action is coupled with a short prayer: "Christ be in my mind, on my lips and in my heart." This simple prayer is a great way to live our lives.
- May the presence of Christ inspire my thinking, that I may hear the Gospel and understand.
- May the presence of Christ help me proclaim the Gospel to everyone I meet.
- May the presence of Christ dwell deep in my heart always.
May you experience the presence of Christ now and always.
