How do I explain making the sign of the cross to a protestant?

[rwillenborg]

Here’s my stab at it:

In Catholic theology, it is recognized that prayer happens with the heart, mind AND the body. A husband tells his wife he loves her with a tender kiss to the forehead. A parent points a sharp finger at their child to show their displeasure. Likewise, Catholics believe, their bodies can speak to the Lord, and words aren’t always necessary.
Making the sign of the cross on one’s body is the same thing. It is the language of the body and it says ‘This body is claimed for Christ’. In the same way one would write their name on their belongings, Catholics, in essence ‘write Christ’s name’ on their own body.
Would you be opposed to wearing a cross on a necklace? Or having one drawn on your arm? Of course not. You belong to Christ.The sign of the cross is simply another prayer to the Lord.
Opinions?

 

[Eucharisted]

Just tell them the Sign is a sacred sign like the sacramentals (sacra-ment-al) that signifies the grace of God (down) through the Son (right) in the Holy Spirit (left) and that represents the theological graces; the life of Christ; the Paschal Mysteries; the Holy Trinity; the Hypostatic Union; the Blood and Water which gushed forth from Jesus’ Heart; the sacraments of initation; the victory of Christ over sin, the flesh, and the world; the victory of Christ over metaphysical, moral, and physical evil; thinking, speaking, and living the Gospel; offering up one’s body, blood, and soul to Christ; the three offices of Jesus which all the faithful share in; and that acts as a reminder of the triune Church, the three orders of the priesthood, the three states of life in the Church, the inseperability of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the hour at which Jesus died on the Cross, the Love and Mercy and Grace of God, et cetera.

 

[mo3]

Here is another point to emphasize. Early Christians made the sign of the cross. Before Christians were executed in the Roman Coliseum, they would make the sign of the cross to show their commitment to Christ.

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

Here’s my stab at it:

In Catholic theology, it is recognized that prayer happens with the heart, mind AND the body. A husband tells his wife he loves her with a tender kiss to the forehead. A parent points a sharp finger at their child to show their displeasure. Likewise, Catholics believe, their bodies can speak to the Lord, and words aren’t always necessary.
Making the sign of the cross on one’s body is the same thing. It is the language of the body and it says ‘This body is claimed for Christ’. In the same way one would write their name on their belongings, Catholics, in essence ‘write Christ’s name’ on their own body.
Would you be opposed to wearing a cross on a necklace? Or having one drawn on your arm? Of course not. You belong to Christ.The sign of the cross is simply another prayer to the Lord.
Opinions?

I heard that an early use of the sign of the cross was when the Christians were being killed in the Collesium, either by gladiators or wild animals.

Before death they would make the sign of the cross so that those watching would know that they were dying for Jesus and that they were not just common criminals.

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

Here is another point to emphasize. Early Christians made the sign of the cross. Before Christians were executed in the Roman Coliseum, they would make the sign of the cross to show their commitment to Christ.

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