What's all that about?
In fact, it is a silent prayer all by itself.
The Sign of the Cross on one's forehead reminds us that the word of God should always be in the forefront of our minds. No matter what we do throughout life, it should always be in accordance to God's wishes and God's Commandments. By keeping God always on our mind we ensure that we're always close to Him and that we're less likely to go against His will.
The Sign on our lips means that we pray that we're always prepared to witness for God when the right time requires it. Many people often shy away from speaking up for God in conversation with family and friends, especially when He is ridiculed or spoken against. People tend to keep quiet for fear of offending others, or for fear of being ridiculed themselves. Instead, our lips can often be used to gossip, malign others, to spread rumours, lies and ill will. The Sign on our lips is a prayer that our lips are always used to glorify and serve God in all that we say.
The Sign on our breast is a prayer that God may always be within our heart and that we may grow to love Him and never stray from His love. Hearts can often hide grudges, hatred, revenge, envy, and all sorts of other sins. Signing the Cross on our heart is a prayer that we may be always pure and receptive to God's love and grace.
The Sign of the Cross on our forehead, lips and hearts. A silent prayer all in itself.
Thank you for this one Victor.
ReplyDeleteI love how you relate this as a silent prayer, Victor.. What a great blessing and gift the Mass is. +
ReplyDeleteBeautifully explained Victor! My 6 year old is just learning this..its quite amusing to see her struggling to do this before Father begins to read. Loving our Catholic culture! Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
Victor, I too love this silent prayer. Our mass is filled with gifts. It's beautiful. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteA great non-verbal confession of Faith and dependance on God. I try never to do this thoughtlessly at Mass. In the Extraordinary Form, we also do this silent prayer at the beginning of the Gospel of St. John after the last blessing.
ReplyDeleteHello Daily Grace, Caroline, Lisa Maria, Amy and Barbara.
ReplyDeleteThank you for calling on me and for taking the trouble to comment. I very much appreciate it.
There are so many tarditional, and ancient, symblolisms in our Mass. Our priest is explaining these during his sermons every week.
God bless.
Thank you Colleen.
ReplyDeleteThe Sign of the Cross is a prayer in itself.
God bless.
Our former parish priest had spent lots of time writing and having different parts of the Mass explained and they did help alot. I think this should be done in all parishes from time to time. Thanks for a great post Victor : )
ReplyDeleteI'm glad our priest is explaining bits of the Mass each Sunday, Doreen.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well.
God bless.
Victor, Thanks for this. Ironically, I say these same things to myself every time I go through this prayer.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder.
God Bless.
Thank you Michael. It is indeed a reminder when we pray this silent prayer.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
I love all the signs, symbols and gestures of the Church. I think that as a convert I appreciate them all the more
ReplyDeleteThere's so much symbolism in our Mass. Our priest is currently taking time to explain some each Sunday in his sermon.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Melanie.