Roman Catholics (questions asked by them)

1. Why do you refuse to make the sign of the cross before eating?

Because the Scripture teaches us to say grace, and not to make the sign of the cross, before taking food.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came down from heaven, before eating gave thanks to God the Father, as it is written: “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would” (John 6:11), and also: “And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude” (Matthew 14:19).

The apostle Paul also, before eating, used to give thanks to God, as it is written: “And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat” (Acts 27:35-36).

We don’t make the sign of the cross not only before eating (or after) but also when we are in danger (as you do), and the reason is that the Scripture doesn’t tell us to invoke God’s help by making the sign of the cross, but by crying out to Him, that is, by calling upon Him, as it is written: “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15).

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