Making the sign of the Cross before a meal

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Sat 23 October 2004 3:54 pm

As for myself, I do not think that there is a greater sin than causing someone to turn away from God.

尼古拉前执事 · Sat 23 October 2004 3:58 pm

But when you are refuse to cross yourself, refuse to pray, refuse to ask for a blessing from God, you are causing yourself to turn away from God.

And maybe making that sign of the cross will get someone to think of God when they are down in the dumps about what a sinful life they are living. Maybe it will prompt them too to pray.

尼古拉前执事 · Sat 23 October 2004 4:02 pm

A priest once told me this: Satan tries to get us to sin to make us give up. The greatest thing he tries is for us to stop practicing the faith, to stop praying, as prayer, followed by the sign of the cross, is the single most powerful weapon against sin.

joasia · Post by **joasia** » Sat 23 October 2004 4:32 pm

Deacon Nikolai,

I hear you. Please don't feel that I have lost my grip. I guess the voice of "reason", is coming from a certain source. Always, trying to lead me away.

Believe me Deacon Nikolai, I may go through spiritual turmoils, but I will not be defeated. My faith is with Orthodoxy.

I always believed that crossing ourselves was the right thing to do...it's just that the idea that I may look like a hypocrite or cause others to hate Christ, because they saw that...led me to stop crossing myself.

Well, nice trick of the deceiver, isn't it? But, I am not dead yet, so my life can change for the better.

And maybe making that sign of the cross will get someone to think of God when they are down in the dumps about what a sinful life they are living. Maybe it will prompt them too to pray.

Of course that is always the positive outlook...but doing it in front of my jewish boss and his family, will be a stretch. But, I will do it, because of my faith. I just hope that they will gain from it and not become hateful because of it.

Deacon Nikolai, you don't need respond. I am not arguing. I know that the right thing to do is to cross myself.

Ya know...I will just ask the Theotokos for guidance. I never really thought of her as an intercessor for this...but I will do that and I know she will help me. I'll let you know how it goes.

Joanna[/quote]

Грешник · Post by **Грешник** » Sat 23 October 2004 6:26 pm

Joanna,

The feeling that you have is indeed very genuine. I have these feelings a lot. What keeps me going is the fact that our intentions are known truly to God alone. If we are sincere in our prayers then God sees this. A lot of people say that if we pray in public we are going against the writings of the Gospel that say to pray in private and to not let others see what you are doing. The point that they are missing is the fact that we do these things, such as praying and fasting to honor God and not man.

We are not doing these things so that others can see us and if we are doing these things so that others wil see and think that we are pious then we are doing his for the wrong reason, but as Father Deacon said we can not allow this to stop pur requirements to our God. Intent and intention are the focus here. All for the Honor and Glory of God!

rat · Post by **rat** » Sat 23 October 2004 11:40 pm

I'm also having a problem in that I don't always remember to cross myself. I often take a bite of something, and then I remind myself to thank God, and cross myself. I'm getting better about it, but I wish I was more consistent.

My workplace is a very macho environment. Big guys with shaved heads, tattoos ,etc. who ride harleys to work. A lot of very rough types. Guess what? it's the easiest place to practice your religion that I've ever seen.We have a lot of different cultures, a lot of different religions represented. The Mexicans and Filipinos wear their scapulars,and there is a Marian shine which has fresh roses everyday. The Sikhs wear their turbans, and some people carry their bibles with them and read them during breaks. Some of the cars in the parking lots have scripture placards on them.There are always a few tracts for different beliefs in the break room. My supervisor is a baptist lay preacher, and often has a prayer with some of the men. There is this one black man that I work with that will sometimes break forth into song, singing about Jesus. He has a wonderful voice, and you can here him half a mile off. Of course, all this only applies to the workers. The upper-level management must have some believers as well, but you never see any sign of it.

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I used to work for a bank, and my boss used to curse, and take the Lord's name in vain. I tried to talk to him about it, and he acted as if I had two heads or something. Needless to say, I didn't last too long there.

Two different worlds.

gphadraig · Post by **gphadraig** » Sun 24 October 2004 10:48 am

To those concerned about the sensibilities of non-Christian believers. I guess many attribute to them a sensitivity which they do not have.

The British Red Cross banned all Christmas cribs and Christian displays in their charity shops to avoid offending Jews, Moslems and Hindhus etc., etc. A journalist checked around and found none said they would be offended. They were concerned that this 'sensitivity' imposed on them by white middle class secular types would be blamed on them and cause friction, something they themselves had not looked for.

In India I found people from a wide range of faiths gave me some standing above my fellow travellers because I was a believer and not a God-less one.

The only caution I would add add is a sign of the cross should not be confused with the Greek response to a central chest irritation or the Russian wind mill imitation, the latter being an especial hazard for passing waiters..................