The Scrutinies

We are in Lent as everyone who is Catholic knows. What might surprise some of you is that during the middle portion of Lent there are some specific liturgical things that take place. During the 3rd through the 5th Sundays of Lent “The Scrutinies” are often celebrated. This year the First Scrutiny will be March 23rd. During this time The Elect (those that are unbaptized and are preparing to become members of the Catholic Faith during the Easter Vigil) are brought forward to be publicly recognized, acknowledged and prayed for.

The Scrutinies take place after the homily. The Elect are called forward before the community of faith and are reminded that we all struggle with being called to “turn away from sin” and that this particular time in their journey to Baptism is when they need to be fully aware of that call. It is a time for The Elect, and for all of us for that matter, to scrutinize (examine) their lives to see where and what they struggle with and seek help from God to overcome any weakness since He alone provides everyone with healing and the strength we need in the daily struggles of life. The Scrutinies help all examine our consciences and they will end with the Prayers of the Faithful.

The community of faith that surrounds The Elect is called on as a visible sign to show how God’s support helps everyone and helps all who believe to overcome any weakness or obstacle that may stand between us and God. This support is carried through the journey of faith The Elect are traveling to the Easter Vigil where all renew the Baptismal vows when The Elect are to be baptized.

When there is The Elect to be baptized at the Easter Vigil the readings used on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent always come from the Cycle A readings. This year we are in cycle A so the readings would be part of these Sundays regardless, but in the years when Cycle B or Cycle C are the readings followed these 3 Sundays still follow the Cycle A readings. The 3rd Sunday of Lent in Cylce A offers us the Gospel according to John chapter 4 verses 5-42, Jesus and the Woman at the Well, then on the 4th Sunday of Lent we will hear from the Gospel according to John chapter 9 verses 1-41, Jesus Cures the Man Born Blind and finally on the 5th Sunday of Lent we will hear from John chapter 11 verses 1-45, Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead. Prayerfully listen to these readings this year and hear what Father has to say in his homilies on all 3. Do they relate at all to the Scrutinies that are read between the homily and the Prayers of the Faithful?