Three Tiny Crosses

   All of us Catholics do it.  Whether the veil-wearing mother with six small children or the busy guy wearing cargo shorts and a wrinkled polo; we all do it.  As the priest approaches the ambo, carrying the big book, we all know something will be expected of us in just a moment.  Something that must be important, because we have to do it.  It's like a play and we have lines.  So, we better be ready!

  After a varying degree of preparation, the priest opens the book and looks out at us, saying, "The Lord be with you."  Now it's our turn-- we got this!  "And with your spirit."  The priest continues, "A reading from the Holy Gospel, according to (MML or J)."  Back to us:  "Glory to you, Oh, Lord."  

  Now comes the "solemn and important" part.  (The part which separates us crazy Catholics from other ecumenical Christians.)  We have to do an outward gesture thing.  Just so people will know we're Catholics, right?  So, we do it: we make three tiny crosses; one on our forehead, one on our mouth, and one on our chest.  Nailed it!  We participated and now, we can return to our stupor while the priest reads and then preaches his homily.

  But why did we do that thing with the crosses?  I suppose most (many/some?) Catholics know the three signs mean something like: "In my mind, on my lips, in my heart."  Seems somewhat intuitive, even to a layperson.  With just a bit more thought, though, it becomes deeper and more profoundly important.  In fact, if you think deeply about it every time you do it, you will almost certainly not return to a stupor during the reading and preaching.

"Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart."  -Hebrews, 4: 12

  Penetrating joints and marrow... that's visceral.  That's God entering us, if we invite him.  That's why we do the thing on our head, lips, and chest.  That's us telling God, "Come in, Lord!"  He certainly sees us do this, but He also sees if we really think it and mean it.  Do we?  Every time?

  Father Josef Jungmann explains further in the "Mass of the Roman Rite:"

The original idea of this signing of oneself is probably indicated in the scriptural text frequently cited in this connection, the quotation about the wicked enemy who is anxious to take the seed of the word of God away from the hearts of hearers (Mark 4:15). . . . But another explanation takes over by degrees; an ever-increasing stress is placed on the readiness to acknowledge God’s word with courage. . . . The meaning is this: For the word which Christ brought and which is set down in this book we are willing to stand up with a mind that is open, we are ready to confess it with our mouth, and above all we are determined to safeguard it faithfully in our hearts. (CIN-Origin of the Sign of the Cross, Father Mateo, July 28, 1991)

  This tradition goes back at least 1200 years, and probably more.  Catholic tradition is a strong and vital aspect of our Faith, because we recognize that very smart and very holy people established and carried on these things we do.  Our Church is filled with traditions; many of which are tied to certain cultures (e.g., the Mexican persignarse and santiguarse - talk about showing signs!), and many of which are truly "universal."  When we dig in to see why and how certain traditions came about, their value becomes clear to us.  So, do that.  If you don't know why you are doing something, find out what it means.  What it really means.  Making the effort to know the Faith will almost certainly help you to live it more fully.

  So... are we truly "willing... ready... and determined" to do these things?  If we are, then that is a very good reason to methodically make those three tiny crosses... and mean it each and every time.

God bless!

kmg