Pavlik_ 090907

Sometimes the things we do most often can run the risk of becoming simply a matter of habit and lose their meaning. As Catholics, perhaps the one thing that is most in danger of losing meaning is the sign of the cross. It is central to our life of prayer — we begin and end our prayers with it and we mark ourselves with it on the way in and out of the church. But, do we actually think about what we are doing or is it simply a thoughtless act that passes by with little or no thought at all?

This week, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which commemorates the discovery of the Lord’s cross by St. Helena. It is also an opportunity for all of us to consider the triumph of Jesus over the cross and the innate power that the cross has. We see crosses everywhere: in our churches, in our homes (hopefully), in cemeteries, hospitals, and other places where Christians gather. But when we see a cross, do we even think about it?

As we pass the holy water font on the way into church and dip our finger into the water to bless ourselves as we walk by, do we think of anything, really? Because we should think of something. As a matter of fact, there are a few things we should think about.

Primarily, we should think of our baptism, by which we were claimed as children of God. When we were baptized, through water and the Holy Spirit, we were given new birth and life in Jesus, and we bless ourselves with holy water to continually remind us of that truth. By the sign of the cross, we are reminded that we have again returned “home” to the Church community which we joined by baptism. On our way out of church, as we bless ourselves, we are reminded of our dignity as Christians and our duty to bring the faith we have received with us into the world.

In tracing the cross over our body, we are reminded of the great price that was paid for us by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. As believers in the power of Jesus, we are not afraid to gaze upon the cross and actually find strength in our belief that Jesus has overcome the cross. We are also reminded of our own cross that we carry as we follow Jesus on our own journey toward heaven.

By beginning and ending our prayer with the sign of the cross, we recall the great mystery of the Trinity — one God and three Persons. We pray in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and invoke the strength that comes from that name.

A simple sign full of meaning that is ours to find and appreciate. Great things can happen from simply being deliberate and thoughtful in prayer. Next time you make the sign of the cross, take a moment to think about what you are doing, what it symbolizes and why you are doing it and see what happens!