Conversion to Truth, while totally fulfilling, is never a light matter (Jn. 14:6; Mt. 11:28-39), because the Truth is the Cross, and the Cross is no picnic.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — Jn. 16:33

Jn. 15:20,21 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Mark 8:34, 35: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36. For what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?’

The Savior said, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me” — Matthew 10:38

Phil 2:5-19. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”

Eph. 6:12 “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.’

The Sign of the Cross. A Sign, A Calling, A Warning.

Tertullian (early 3rd century) speaks of crossing ourselves on the forehead. St. Basil (4th century) reported that the Sign of the Cross originated in apostolic times.

“Whether you sleep or wake, travel or work, eat or drink, sail on the sea or cross a river, cover yourself with this breastplate, clothe yourself with the saving Sign of the Cross, and evils will not meet you.” — Saint Ephraim (d. 373)

“At every change of place and movement, every going out and coming in, when dressing, when putting on shoes, at the bath, at the table, when carrying a lamp, upon entering a room, and in every action that life requires, we touch our forehead with the Sign of the Cross.” “Make this sign,” St. Cyril said, “eating, drinking, sitting, standing, going outside, walking, in sum: in all of your affairs.”

And, elsewhere, “Have therefore no shame of confessing the crucifix, but with confidence let us impress the Sign of the Cross with our fingers upon our forehead, and may the Sign of the Cross be made in all things, eating, drinking, coming in, going out, before sleep, sitting, standing, doing, and remaining idle. For it is a great defense, which for the sake of the poor is given away freely, and for the sake of the weak is made without difficulty, this grace being from God, as the sign of the faithful and to bring fear to the devils.”

St. John Chrysostom: “The Cross shines everywhere, in places inhabited and uninhabited.”

St. Ambrose: “All of our works should be done with the Sign of the Cross.”