The Mocking Hand

 

When the Sign of the Cross Becomes a Target

The other day, a question came my way that struck a deep chord in my heart, something many of us who strive to live our Catholic faith openly have encountered: "What are your thoughts on people mocking the Sign of the Cross?"

It's a question that brings a mix of emotions, isn't it? A sting of hurt, perhaps, for the disrespect shown to something so sacred. A flicker of anger. But beneath that, for me, lies a deeper reflection on what this simple, profound gesture truly means, and what it reveals about the world around us.

For us, the Sign of the Cross isn't just a physical motion. It's a whispered prayer, a silent declaration, a moment of profound connection to God.

Think about what we're doing when we make that sign:

• We invoke the Holy Trinity: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." We're calling upon the very essence of God, the three Persons in one, who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us. This profound invocation comes directly from Christ's own command:

Matthew 28:19: "Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Every time we make the Sign of the Cross, we are renewing this foundational Trinitarian truth, a daily reaffirmation of our baptismal identity.

• We embrace the Cross: The movement itself traces the shape of the Cross—not a symbol of defeat, but of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death. It's where love triumphed over hatred, where hope conquered despair. It's the central pillar of our salvation. St. Paul tells us clearly:

1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them who are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God." This verse is our direct answer to any mocker: what they see as foolishness, we know to be the very power of God that saves us.

• We mark ourselves as Christian: It's an ancient, public declaration of identity, a visible sign of belonging to the Body of Christ. It's a reminder of our Baptism, our initiation into God's family. We are proclaiming what St. Paul gloried in:

Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world." The Sign of the Cross is our personal act of "glorying" in Christ's victory and visually declaring our allegiance to Him over the fleeting values of the world.

• We take up our cross daily: It's also a commitment to Christ's call to discipleship:

Matthew 16:24: "Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." By tracing the Cross, we acknowledge our commitment to daily self-denial and the following of Christ, embracing the sacrifices that come with true discipleship.

So, when someone mocks the Sign of the Cross, they're not just ridiculing a hand gesture. They are, whether they realize it or not, scoffing at the Holy Trinity, at the Incarnation, at the Redemption, and at the very identity of Christianity. They are mocking our very story of salvation.

 

The Wisdom of St. Paul: Foolishness to the World

This isn't a new phenomenon. St. Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, understood this perfectly:

"For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them who are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The world, steeped in its own wisdom and values, often struggles to comprehend the paradox of the Cross: that strength comes through weakness, life through death, and triumph through humiliation. To many, it seems absurd. It's an offense, a "scandal," as Paul would say, to human pride and worldly logic.

When people mock the Sign of the Cross today, they are echoing the very sentiments of those who stood at the foot of Calvary and ridiculed Christ. It's a reminder that the world will always be at odds with the Kingdom of God.

Furthermore, we anticipate a future vindication for this sacred sign:

Matthew 24:30: "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and majesty." Catholic tradition understands the "sign of the Son of man" to be the glorious Cross itself, appearing in the heavens. By making this sign now, we align ourselves with the symbol of His final and undeniable victory.

 

Are Mockers Demonically Oppressed?

This brings us to a more sensitive and profound part of the question: Are people who mock the Sign of the Cross demonically oppressed?

This is a question that requires careful theological discernment.

1. Direct Demonic Oppression is Specific: In Catholic teaching, demonic oppression (or infestation, vexation) refers to a direct, external influence by evil spirits, distinct from full demonic possession. It involves unusual or intense negative pressures, temptations, or attacks that go beyond typical human sinfulness. While an evil spirit hates the Cross and could certainly incite or influence someone to mock it, we cannot automatically conclude that every mocker is demonically oppressed.
2. Ignorance and Human Sinfulness: More often than not, mockery stems from a combination of:
• Ignorance: Many people simply do not understand the profound meaning of the Sign of the Cross. They might see it as strange, old-fashioned, or just a "Catholic thing."
• Worldly Influence: They may be influenced by a secular, anti-religious culture that ridicules faith in general.
• Personal Wounds/Rebellion: Some mockery can come from deeper personal pain, anger, or rebellion against God, or against perceived injustices from religious institutions.
• Pride and Arrogance: It can also be a display of intellectual pride, a desire to feel superior to those who hold to faith.
3. The Role of Evil: That being said, the demonic despises the Cross. It is the sign of their ultimate defeat. So, while not every mocker is oppressed in a clinical sense, any act of mockery against sacred things pleases the demonic forces and can be influenced by them, even if indirectly. Evil thrives on disrespect for God.
• It's like a person who hates good art. Their hatred might stem from their own brokenness, but the spirit of hatred itself is not of God.

So, while we cannot definitively label every mocker as "demonically oppressed," we can certainly say that such mockery is not from God and is often spiritually dark, aligning with the destructive forces that despise Christ and His saving work.

 

Our Response: Fortitude, Prayer, and Unshaken Faith

When faced with mockery, our response should be threefold:

1. Fortitude and Reverence: Do not be ashamed. Make the Sign of the Cross with even greater conviction, reminding yourself of its power and meaning. Let their scorn deepen your reverence. As Tertullian (c. 155 – c. 240 A.D.) noted of early Christians in his work, De Corona:

"At every forward step and movement, at every coming in and going out, at putting on our clothes and shoes, at baptizing, at feasts, at sleeping, at sitting, in all the ordinary actions of daily life, we trace upon the forehead the sign of the cross." This ancient practice reminds us that making the Sign of the Cross is an act of courageous, unwavering faith, a holy tradition passed down through the centuries.

2. Prayer for Them: We pray for those who mock. We pray for their enlightenment, for their hearts to be softened, and for any spiritual blindness or oppression to be lifted. Our Lord prayed for His tormentors on the Cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). We are called to do the same.
3. Charity and Witness: While we don't engage in arguments or retaliation, our lives should be a quiet, consistent witness to the truth and beauty of our faith. Perhaps, in time, our peace and steadfastness can speak louder than any words.

The Cross of Christ is not just wood; it is the tree of life, the banner of our King, and the power of God for our salvation. May we always wear its sign with pride, humility, and unwavering faith, regardless of what the world may say.