"In him you also...were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit."
Growing up, the only time I saw someone make the sign of the cross was when the pastor gave the benediction at the end of worship. It just wasn't a common tradition in the Lutheran church where I grew up. It is of course common in many traditions, including some Lutheran churches, for Christians to make the sign of the cross on themselves regularly - each time the name of the Trinity is invoked, for example.
In seminary I began "trying on" this practice. Each time I walked into the chapel I would walk up to the baptismal font, dip my fingers in the water and make the sign of the cross on my forehead, remembering that I am a beloved and baptized child of God. Now I encourage everyone to do so, to remember the identity - and the Spirit - we have been given in baptism.
Do you ever make the sign of the cross on yourself? What does it mean to you?
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