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.
Victor, I appreciate the window into Catholic tradition you bring, making those of us less knowledgeable a little more informed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ryan for your understanding and friendship.
DeleteGod bless you always.
This is beautiful.
ReplyDelete☺️
Thanx Sandi.
DeleteGod bless.
You can still here the Angelus here at 6am, noon and 6pm. the local Catholic church plays the bell and if you listen to the radio, RTE plays it too. It's a reminder, I see older people stop and make the sign of the cross. I never experienced that as a child but over here was the first time I actually heard it.
ReplyDeleteHi Bill,
DeleteI shall post tomorrow about people making the Sign of the Cross. You don't see it much here in the UK. Nor do we get any churches ringing the Angelus three times a day. We are secular over here. Sad isn't it?
I get RTE sometimes on the car radio; but not at home. Can't understand why.
God bless always.
These are things I never knew about, Victor, so I truly appreciate your explanation here. Makes perfect, and beautiful, sense!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Old traditions dating back to I don't know when. I'll post a similar tradition tomorrow.
DeleteGod bless, Martha.
Thank you Victor for this beautiful reminder to be closer to God at anytime and anywhere ✝
ReplyDeleteGod's Blessings 💮
Thanx Jan. We need to pray more especially in these times.
DeleteGod bless.
Thank you Joyful Homemaker. Great to see you here. Please call again soon.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
VIctor thank you for sharing this. I always wondered about it. It's a beautiful meaning.
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane. It is a tradition we have always done before the reading of the Gospel.
DeleteGod bless.
I've seen it done many times but never knew the reasoning behind it. Thanks for telling us. As Diane says, it's a beautiful meaning.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a beautiful reminder of God foremost in our lives.
DeleteGod bless, Happyone.
Wonderful! I hope the Church won't mind if I adopt this practice. (*smile*)
ReplyDeleteHow nice, Mevely. I'm sure God would be proud of you.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Convert here--11 yrs exactly this Easter Vigil!!! Deo gratias!!!When I learned that the sign of the Cross is a silent prayer, I loved it so much. I love that all these physical actions--crossing, kneeling, standing--lead my heart and soul. I discovered this a long time ago as a child--it is impossible to stay unhappy when you skip, for example.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful blog and I always love a fellow prayer warrior. As one who's been chronically ill since RCIA (funny that) the sick bed became a school of prayer. Thank you for your prayers and I will keep you in mine too. God bless you.
Thank you Vijaya for your kind comment here and for visiting me. I hope we visit each other's Blog frequently. Thank you also for your much needed prayers.
DeletePraying for you. God bless.
Thank you so much Joyful Homemaker.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Good idea Joyful Homemaker. Here in the UK the Bishops of England have "recommended" we don't eat meat on Fridays. But it does not apply to Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I am so thankful you explained this. What a beautiful way to silently pray!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Cheryl.
DeleteGod bless you always.
It's a beautiful prayer, too.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Mimi.
DeleteGod bless.