Scrutinies

Once a month I get a 'break' from having to prepare a weekend homily as Deacon Angelo gets to exercise his faculties to preach.  This is such a weekend.  And so, I thought I would reflect briefly on part of the RCIA process we continue this weekend, something called the Scrutinies.  Each of the past two weeks, those preparing for baptism and for entrance into our church have undertaken the first two scutinies; this weekend is the third and final scrutiny.

Since early Fall, the two catechumens and two candidates have met weekly to learn about the Catholic faith, and then have gathered for Sunday Mass.  But, because they cannot yet receive Holy Communion, after the Universal Prayer (formerly known as the General Intercessions), they have been dismissed from the congregation.  Their team leaders go off to a quiet place where they reflect more deeply on the Scriptures they just heard proclaimed and how those Scriptures impact their lives personally.  We call this process 'Breaking Open the Word.'

On the First Sunday of Lent, they went to the Cathedral and were presented to the Archbishop in a Rite of Election ceremony.  Now, as the time draws near for their ultimate decision to ask to be baptized and/or brought into the church, they are asked to reflect more deeply on just what it is they are requesting of the church, just what it is they are committing themselves to.

They are encouraged to develop a way of seeing things from God's point of view, and of seeing sin for what it is, and Jesus as the One who can and will liberate them from sin.

And while this is an important part of their process, it is likewise just as important for each of us as well.  Even though we have been baptized, even though we are already a part of the church, nonetheless, often we lose sight of the way God sees things.  Often we are attracted to sinful ways and need to have our spiritual sight restored.

And so, as we pray for those preparing for the Easter sacraments, perhaps we can take the time to scrutinize our own life and life patterns, and turning everything over to the Lord, and recommitting ourselves to following Him, be reassured that we are indeed drawing ever closer to our ultimate goal - eternal life in the Father's Kingdom of true and lasting peace.