Those who are marked with an X will be spared destruction. In the Hebrew, the letter translated "X" is taw, a T-shaped, cross-shaped letter. Therefore, Ezekiel's prophecy could be understood to mean that those marked with the sign of the cross will be spared destruction and damnation. John in Revelation says the same thing when he proclaims that those having the seal of the living God on their foreheads will be saved (Rv 7:3), while those having the mark of the beast will be "hurled down alive into the fiery pool of burning sulphur" (Rv 19:20).

Do you have the sign of the cross imprinted on your life? This is not just a matter of physically making the sign of the cross but of taking up our crosses each day, denying ourselves, sacrificing our wills and pleasures, and following in the footsteps of the crucified Christ (Lk 9:23). How many times today will we trace the sign of the cross on our lives? Will we take up crosses of reconciliation, forgiveness, evangelization, rejection, persecution, service, almsgiving, prayer, fasting, and gospel poverty? Will we make the sign of the cross on our lives so deeply and frequently that it is obvious we have been crucified with Jesus? (Gal 2:19) With this cross on our lives, we will be spared destruction and enter into eternal life.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, February 17, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 25, 1998