Making the sign of the cross is probably the first thing a child learns from the parent or caregiver at the start of a lifetime's journey in faith. It is more than just a right-hand gesture.

By touching the forehead, we invoke God, the Father; then touching the heart, we invoke God, the Son, before touching both shoulders, whereby we invoke God, the Holy Spirit.

It seems quite logical to associate God the Father with the forehead since it suggests the mind of God. How else do we mortals know and learn about God if not through concepts and ideas that appear in our minds? Therein too, lies the human conscience that is often said to be the "voice of God," ordering our lives and serving as a moral compass to point us in the right direction.

This takes us to the heart, which we associate with God, the Son. The Sacred Heart of Jesus says it all. Here, we see a heart that burns for the love of humanity, even when humans crown that heart with the thorns of their collective sinfulness. However, Jesus' heart feels and beats eternally with love for all humanity.

When we touch both shoulders to invoke the Holy Spirit of God, we are touching what will lead to both hands, the bodily means by which we labour for the kingdom of God. Because thoughts and feelings will come to nought if they are not acted upon.