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Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
Over the next three Sundays (the third, fourth and fifth
Sundays of Lent), those parishes with adults and older children
preparing for initiation into the church at Easter will celebrate
rituals called the "scrutinies" during Mass. They are part of a series
of rites belonging to the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
that are celebrated during the season of Lent. Some people feel quite
uncomfortable with the term “scrutiny.”
The word scrutinize means to examine in minute detail, and we may
feel that it is intrusive or hypocritical to pry into the lives and
motives of those who wish to join the church. Because of those
misgivings, the term "rite of healing and strengthening" is sometimes
used instead. The ritual book says that the purpose of the scrutinies is
to "heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the
elect" and "to give them strength in Christ, Who is the way, the truth,
and the life". The rite also describes the scrutinies as "rites for
self-searching and repentance". (RCIA 128).
Every time we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, we ask
the questions, "Do you renounce Satan … and all his works … and all
his empty promises?" These are serious questions. We should
consider them carefully before answering. That is what the elect,
those preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil, spend much of Lent
doing. For those who are making their final preparation for baptism,
Lent is a time of purification and enlightenment. In the light of God's
Word, they examine their lives and ask the entire Christian community to
pray that whatever is weak and sinful within them may be eliminated and
that whatever is good and holy may be affirmed.
After the homily, in a litany of intercession, the power
of Jesus over all sin is proclaimed. A prayer is then said over the
elect asking for their deliverance and strengthening. The presider,
catechists, sponsors and other members of the community may also lay
their hands on the heads of the elect in an ancient sign of
forgiveness, healing and empowerment. Because the entire community will
renew its baptismal promises at Easter, we all take this opportunity to
examine our way of life and ask ourselves whether we are truly living as
Christ's disciples, as people of the Gospel.
The Introduction to the Lectionary recommends using the
Gospels of Year A, even in Years B and C when there are catechumens,
because these scriptures are of major importance in regard to Christian
initiation (LMI 97). They are the stories of the Samaritan woman who
meets Jesus at the well, the man born blind who is healed and who comes
to faith, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. By examining
ourselves through these readings, we come to know that we have become
dry and barren, that we have been blinded, and that we have become
deadened through sin. It is then that the elect and we, the baptized,
can choose and be renewed in Christ, our Light, our Salvation and our
Life. It is then that we can rejoice and sing: “This is the day the
Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.”
Let’s give our minds and hearts to the Lord this Lenten
Season!
Father Joe
Et Cetera… In the next few weeks
our OCIA class of 2008 enters into their final preparations for baptism
and entry into the Faith of the Church. I ask you to remember in your
prayers those to be baptized; the Odiase Family: Friday, Philomena, Tai,
Ken and Lucky; Brittany Corbin, Kayla Corbin, Teresa Holley and Nicole
Curtis who will make a profession of faith.
Please remember our Parish Mission next week Feb. 24
through the 28.
Father Joseph Dean will be conducting our mission, more
next week. |
