Lesson two: THE SIGN OF THE CROSS Flashcards
Why do christians to the sign of the cross?
Making the sign of the cross is a tangible way to mark ourselves as Christ’s. Crossing yourself or someone else is an act of sanctification, a physical reminder that you/they are set apart as holy for Christ.
cyril of jerusalem wrote that;
-“Let us not be ashamed to profess the Crucified One; let us confidently seal our forehead with our fingers, let us make the sign of the cross on everything, on the
bread we eat and over the cup we drink. Let us make
this sign as we come and go, before sleeping, when
we lie down and when we arise, while traveling and
while resting.”
The sign of the cross is an act of sanctification
sanctification meaning “setting apart”. Our souls, our bodies, and our lives are sanctified–set apart for christ, under and in his cross.
The sign of the cross is
a prayer in itself
is not superstitious or rote about making the sign of the cross
a marker of belief in triune god
One of the meaning of the sign of the cross, where you are professing a mini version of the creed–you are professing your belief in the father, and the son, and the holy spirit.
Confession of faith
One of the meaning of the sign of the cross, it is a renewal of the sacrament of baptism, when you make it you say again in effect, “I died with christ and rose to new life”.
as a sacramental
One of the meaning of the sign of the cross, jesus says in luke 9:23, “ if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his crossdaily, and follow me.”
the sign of the cross is a mark of discipleship
One of the meaning of the sign of the cross, when suffering comes, the sign of the cross is a sign of acceptance. it is remembering that jesus became a man and suffered for us and that we participate in the christ’s suffering. the sign of the cross says, I am willing to embrace suffering to sahre in christ’s suffering”
acceptance of suffering
One of the meaning of the sign of the cross, Fathers is that the sign of the cross is a declaration of defense against the devil. When you sign yourself, you are declaring to the devil, “Hands off. I belong to Christ; he is my protection.” It’s both an offensive and defensive tool.
One of the main teaching of the early church
One of the meaning of the sign of the cross, those big problems we have, the stubborn things we can’t get rid of. The Church Fathers say if you are angry, full of lust,fearful,emotional or grappling with fleshly problems, make the sign when tempted and it will help dispel the problem
The sign of the cross is a way to put to death self-indulgence.
