Pope [Francis] at Angelus: The Sign of the Cross makes us feel God's embrace
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Wishing you all a Blessed Easter Octave. In between all the news from the Vatican, I kept hearing tiny bits of words and quotes that came around to the Embrace of God compared to a large Sign of the Cross. The news concerning the recent passing of the Holy Father also pointed to an Embrace. So what was the connection? On June 4, 2023, Pope Francis said: “The Sign of the Cross makes us feel God’s embrace.” In the Angeles address, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Pope said that the simple gesture, that we learn as children, makes us feel God's embrace, that, with His Love and tenderness He envelops us completely.
If you remember this relationship each time you make the Sign of the Cross, you will feel God’s embrace often, probably when you need Him the most. During periods of unrest and strife, when we’re just not feeling well, we strongly hanker for God’s help and love. The Sign of the Cross, brings Jesus to you. And we'll soon be happy again.
Within the Roman Catholic Church, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, which the Church defines as "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments." We say words when we make the sign of the Cross, “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” So it is a Trinitarian prayer. Even in saying these words we embrace God. Let us pray for Peace in the world and for the Love of God to be realized by all.
Pope Francis, may he rest in peace.
The Conclave begins not earlier than 15 days after a pope's passing, so perhaps May 6th. Please pray for this process to be peaceful and productive.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
April 23, 2025
The Holy Trinity
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. When we begin our prayer with the Sign of the Cross, we are calling to mind one of the core beliefs of the Christian faith: that God is one, and God is three.”¹ What do you think about when you invoke the Holy Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Let us examine this relationship. What does the Trinity mean to us?
There is ONE God in three persons. The FATHER: The Father is the Creator, a mighty Ruler, He feeds us through growth, what we plant in our gardens He makes grow. The beef or pork we eat comes from animals He created. He created chickens whose eggs we eat for breakfast, and He provided this earth with bodies of water, water we have to drink. He created us human beings, our love for our spouses comes from Him. Our children are His gift to us, to parents.
The SON of God, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. He used to be with us here on earth until He died on the Cross for us, to redeem us. To redeem our sins, to give us the opportunity to live with God in Heaven. Even though the Son is no longer with us on earth, He is always with us in the Holy Eucharist on the Altar, and in our hearts and souls. He is in our thoughts if we let him and we should. We, the people of God, are involved in His redemption. We help other people to love Jesus and to evangelize the Faith, to tell others of our love for God. “We restore relationships and build the unity Jesus called for whenever we forgive someone who has hurt us. The one who listens with empathy to a grieving friend is helping to redeem them from the pain and isolation of their loss.”¹
The third Person of the Holy Trinity: the HOLY SPIRIT our advocate, our guide in this earthly pilgrimage. The Holy Spirit is said to be the love between Father and the Son, and indeed the three Persons of the Holy Trinity love each other totally. We should reciprocate this love by living a God-fearing holy life. Sin less, and if you can, Sin No More! The root of all sins lies in man's heart. If we love God, we will control our sinful inclination.
The Holy Trinity, we cannot live without loving the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They love us, we love them by living a holy life. Yes we can!
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
March 4, 2024
1. “Understanding the Trinity” FranciscanMedia.org
A bit of breakfast on the beach
a short Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Years ago, a newly ordained priest-friend sent me a prayer card commemorating his Ordination. On the card was an image of Jesus in a circle with other men, his Apostles, about to consume a piece of fish for a meal. Maybe it was breakfast. The other day, it came up in Holy Scripture, (cf. John 21: 4, 12-14): "Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, Who are you? Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead."
In the ancient days, sharing bread, fish (something to eat) meant offering friendship, so perhaps we should do that too, in the current Century. Isn't that what a priest does as he celebrates Holy Mass, sharing the Lord's Grace with those in his flock? I don't have the prayer card anymore but it made a deep impression on me.
Peace,
bro Fred