Christianity

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Monday, January 5, 2009

Sign of the Cross

sign of the crossThe great tradition of Catholics to be proud of the “Sign of the Cross” was mocked and teased today by some anti-Catholics Medias because of their ignorance about the biblical and historical basis of this spiritual tradition.

We sign the cross on our forehead, decorate our churches with cross and administer sacraments with same sign.
The Biblical Basis from Christian Magazine:
When we make the sign of the cross, we proclaim the message of salvation purchased by Jesus through the cross. The Bible clearly states:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing …
But to us who are being saved, is THE POWER OF GOD” (I cor. 1:17-18)

The Bible teaches us…
To be proud of it as…
The message of the CROSS is the POWER OF GOD.

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me… and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14)

Cross symbolizes our day today sufferings without which there is no crown for Christians.
Cyril of Jerusalem wrote in AD 386:
"Let us therefore not be ashamed of the cross of Christ; but though another hide it, do thou openly zeal it upon thy fore head, that devils may beheld the royal sign and flee trembling far away. Make then this sign at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at walking: in a word, at every act."
Ephrem of Syria testifies in AD 373:
"Make all your actions with the sign of the life giving Cross. Do not go out from "the doors of your house till you have signed yourself with the cross. Do not neglect that sign whether in eating and drinking or going to sleep, or in the home or going on a journey. There is no habit to be compared with it. Let it be a protecting wall around all your conduct, and teach it to your children that they earnestly learn the custom."
The Lord bless thee and keep thee.
Show His face to thee.
Turn His countenance to thee and give thee PEACE.
The Lord Bless thee.
- St. Francis of Assisi

1 comment:

  1. This is beautiful and succinct. I hadn't read the words of these great saints concerning the sign of the cross. Thank you. God bless you.

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