Humbled
I was at the church late one weekday afternoon and saw something interesting: A woman leaving the lobby pressed the blue automatic door opener button and made the sign of the cross on her forehead, heart and shoulders as she walked out. I was amused at first by what looked like an act of mistaken church identity because she did what Catholics do as they dip their fingers in holy water and leave the church. But the more I think about it, the more I see it as her silent testimony.
First, this woman was obviously a person of faith because there’s no reason a non-believer would make the sign of the cross. Even if it was just a habit from the past – because the door button is just about where a font of holy water would be – we usually don’t do something out of habit unless there is a seed of connection planted deep inside us. In this case, that seed is faith.
Second, the sign of the cross is a symbol of blessing, and perhaps in some way this woman experienced a blessing while inside. Before leaving she commented to the office staff that she hoped she didn’t miss her bus, so perhaps the blessing was simply a pause from the heat, a cool drink of water, or just a chance to sit and rest for a while.
Third, the sign of the cross is a gesture of reverence, and she may have been acknowledging that she had been inside a church – one that doesn’t have holy water but nonetheless where the Holy Spirit dwells and where people of the Spirit congregate.
Finally, the woman was dressed as someone who might be homeless or of very limited means, and yet her expression of faith was strong as she walked out of the church and back out into a challenging and uncertain world.
Maybe it was all just a clumsy mistake, but it witnessed to me just the same.