THE SCRUTINIES CONTINUE
During the season of Lent, the Church celebrates the calling of the Catechumens, now called the Elect, to prepare themselves for baptism at the Easter Vigil and invites the parish to join with them in this time of spiritual purification and enlightenment. The Rites of “Scrutiny” are meant to uncover and then heal all that is sinful in the hearts of the Elect, and to uncover and strengthen all that is and good.
Quite literally, the Scrutinies are about seeing. They are a means of seeing sin in its true aspect and seeing Christ as the liberator of us all. The Elect will reflect on the sin in their own lives, in order to turn away from it and walk into the light of Christ at baptism. Because the entire community will renew its baptismal promises at Easter, we too will examine our lives in light of God’s word.
This week, the Elect experienced the Grace of Christ, who is the living water (Gospel of the Samaritan woman at the well in the first Scrutiny). Next week, the Elect will experience the Grace of Christ, who is the light of the world (Gospel of the man born blind whom Jesus heals in the second Scrutiny).
We pray to open the minds and hearts of our Elect and Candidates to the presence of Christ in their lives, as they continue their journey to Easter!