Using the Sunday Readings to reflect on our Journey in Faith



LENT - THE PERIOD OF PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT

In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults there are various stages and rites that should be used to celebrate the journey of the enquirer into the Catholic Church. Enquirers have moved through these stages becoming Catechumens or Candidates and celebrating with the Christian Community on the way. At the beginning of Lent, we are at a point where we are in touching distance of the Sacraments of Initiation.

The rite speaks to us of this period.

The water that I shall give will turn into a spring of eternal life

125 The period of purification and enlightenment, which the rite of election begins, customarily coincides with Lent. In the liturgy and liturgical catechesis of Lent the reminder of baptism already received or the preparation for its reception, as well as the theme of repentance, renew the entire community along with those being prepared to celebrate the paschal mystery, in which each of the elect will share through the sacraments of initiation. For both the elect and the local community, therefore, the Lenten season is a time for spiritual recollection in preparation for the celebration of the paschal mystery.

126 This is a period of more intense spiritual preparation, consisting more in interior reflection than in catechetical instruction, and is intended to purify the minds and hearts of the elect as they search their own consciences and do penance. This period is intended as well to enlighten the minds and hearts of the elect with a deeper knowledge of Christ the Saviour. The celebration of certain rites, particularly the scrutinies and the presentations brings about this process of purification and enlightenment and extends it over the course of the entire Lenten season.

From Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The readings during the Lenten period reflect this stage of the journey of the elect into the Catholic Church. If these rites, the scrutinies and the presentations, are to be celebrated in the Sunday Mass, then the readings from Year A should be used where appropriate. If, however, these rites are not celebrated in the Sunday Mass then the readings for the appropriate year A, B or C should be used.

The Rite of Election is celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent in the presence of the Bishop in the Cathedral. The Gospel for the first Sunday is always based on the Temptation of Christ and alternates between the Gospels of Mathew (Year A) Mark (B) and Luke (C). In a similar way the Second Sunday of Lent is based on the Transfiguration of the Lord and also alternates between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

A change occurs in the Third week of Lent when we also celebrate the First Scrutiny and the Presentation of the Creed.

128 The scrutinies, which are solemnly celebrated on Sundays and are reinforced by an exorcism, are rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good. For the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all.

134 The presentations take place after the celebration of the scrutinies, unless, for pastoral reasons, they have been anticipated during the period of the catechumenate. Thus, with the catechumenal formation of the elect completed, the Church lovingly entrusts to them the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, the ancient texts that have always been regarded as expressing the heart of the Church’s faith and prayer. These texts are presented in order to enlighten the elect. The Creed, as it recalls the wonderful deeds of God for the salvation of the human race, suffuses the vision of the elect with the sure light of faith. The Lord’s Prayer fills them with a deeper realization of the new spirit of adoption by which they will call God their Father, especially in the midst of the Eucharistic assembly.

From Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Scrutinies and Presentations should be celebrated during Mass but, if this is not possible, they can be adapted to be celebrated during your RCIA sessions

The readings for the Third Sunday may then be taken from the cycle of year A. The theme of this Sunday is “living water” and recalls for us the waters of Baptism. In your groups you may revisit the Sacrament of Baptism through the readings of this Sunday. The first reading is taken from the book of Exodus and reminds us of the importance of water to sustain life. Perhaps members of your group may have had experiences when water was difficult to obtain perhaps on holiday or while working abroad. Discuss the attitude that we have towards water which is so readily available in this country but is the source of so much suffering in the third world. Paul speaks of the love of God which has been poured into our hearts; he reminds us that through Jesus we have entered into a state of grace. How do you describe the action of grace in your life? Perhaps this is something that could be discussed tonight or on a future occasion. The Gospel story which reflects the First scrutiny is a passage from John’s Gospel and is the story of the Samaritan Woman. We often read this gospel in parts; you need three voices, a narrator, Christ and the woman. The words can easily be taken from the gospel and give a sense of being there to those who are listening. The Samaritan is a woman of great faith, she has lived a very turbulent life and not always in what we would call a “Christian” manner. For all her faults she is clear headed and knows her scriptures. Jesus warms to the woman because she has the courage to speak to him and is not daunted by the gulf of culture which exists between them. How does the voice of Jesus speak to you at this time? Does his promise of living water help you understand the Sacrament of Baptism? In the Orthodox tradition the Samaritan woman is named as Saint Photini (a name which means light) and her feast is celebrated as a Martyr and Apostle to the gentiles on February 26th in the Orthodox Church.

The first Scrutiny and the presentation of the creed should be celebrated at Sunday Mass on the Third Sunday but may be celebrated within your RCIA group. The Godparent or sponsor of the elect should be present and place their right hand on the shoulder of the one they are sponsoring. The celebrant may adapt the introduction and prayers according to various circumstances. There is a clear reference to the Samaritan Woman in the prayer of exorcism. The scrutiny is followed by the presentation of the Creed to the Elect. This involves the reading of the creed by the celebrant and the catechists and the elect listening to the word as it is proclaimed. The Creed is then presented to the elect and the celebrant prays over them.

In the fourth week of Lent we celebrate the Second Scrutiny. The readings for the Sunday are taken from year A and the Gospel passage is the healing of the Blind Man from John. During Lent we are moving from the darkness of sin to the light that Christ shines on the earth. The first reading is from the book of Samuel and reminds us that God does not judge by our standards and that those chosen by him are chosen for their inner qualities not their physical appearance. David is a shepherd boy, the youngest son of Jesse, but God sees in him the qualities of kingship that are necessary to rule the people of Israel. A question that can be discussed tonight is “How do we make our choices, with our eyes and heads or with our hearts?” Paul speaks to us of the children of the light. This passage from Ephesians fills us with hope and confidence that God is on our side. It urges us to live in the light that Christ brings into the world and to turn away from the darkness. The Gospel passage can, as in the case of the Samaritan Woman, be read in parts. Some of your group may find a common thread with the blind man who appears to be denied by his family, friends and neighbours because he has been cured. The passage reflects on the trials that the followers of Jesus experienced when they followed His way and turned away from their roots in Judaism. We do not always appreciate the sacrifices made by these early converts and the problems faced by those who wish to come into the Catholic Church today. Jesus only appears at the beginning and end of the passage. We concentrate on the difficulties of the blind man whose very name is put in doubt by his interrogators. What does this reveal to us about the faith that Jesus has in us when we need to defend our beliefs?

The second scrutiny is celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Lent once again the godparent or sponsor should be present and accompany the elect during this rite. There are prayers of intercession followed by the celebrant laying hands on each of the elect and then praying over them. The prayers refer to the Gospel passage and contrast the courage of the blind man with the courage required by the elect today. The elect are called to be children of the light.

In the fifth week of Lent we celebrate the third scrutiny and the presentation of the Lord’s Prayer. The readings are again from Year A and the gospel passage is the Raising of Lazarus from John. The idea of people being raised back to life from the dead is often used to indicate a conversion from a life of sin or disobedience to a life of faith. It also reminds us that God has the power to bring to life a faith that has lain dormant for many years. The first reading from the prophet Ezekiel speaks about opening up the graves and raising the dead to life. This theme is echoed through the psalm of the day which is also a once popular prayer for forgiveness (De Profundis) which was used frequently in the church of my childhood. The psalm speaks of the powerless nature of humanity and the boundless mercy of God who hears us out of the depths of our despair and redeems us by his love. Paul’s letter to the Romans continues this idea of death being linked to sin and how, with the Spirit of God making his home in us, we belong to Christ. There is a contrast now with the Raising of Lazarus. Although the familiar themes of death and resurrection are included in this passage the whole passage turns not on sin but on the power of God who is Lord of the living and the dead. This is John’s last chapter before Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time. Jesus knows that Lazarus, his friend, is near death but he delays before going to him and his friend has lain in the tomb for four days when Jesus finally arrives. Sin is the enemy of the soul; Jesus uses the raising of Lazarus to show he has power over sin but there is an even greater truth here. Jesus is foreshadowing his own resurrection. He is teaching us that we too, if we believe in Him, are raised to eternal life with him.

The third and final scrutiny is held on the fifth Sunday of Lent. The rite follows the previous pattern and again godparents and sponsors are involved. The prayers refer to the raising of Lazarus and to the sacraments of initiation which are now very close. After the third scrutiny we have the presentation of the Lord’s Prayer. During this liturgy the gospel passage from Matthew 6: 9-13 is read. The prayer is presented to the elect and they are challenged to live in accordance with the words of the prayer. This may be an opportunity to study the text of the prayer and discuss the ideas that are expressed.

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