Third Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioner,

As we continue our parish’s Lenten Journey, the members of our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults observe a period of purification and enlightenment as they make their Lenten journey. During these middle three Sundays of Lent we have rites we call scrutinies. The word sounds strange to us. What does this mean? The adult catechumens are to try to uncover any defects that they have during these weeks before Easter so they might correct their faults. We would commonly call these faults sins. This moral search is to be heartfelt and sincere.

In the early church, there would be an order of penitents who would sit in a special place in church throughout Lent. People who were designated as penitents would be a separate group from those converting. These individuals would be people who might have sinned in a public way embarrassing the community. They would seek to achieve an absolution from the church so they would do acts of penance for all to see. This had to be humbling for the people who were separated, but it also was a way in which they regained trust and were restored fully to the church. At the end of Lent the bishop would give the group absolution and they would return to communion.

These practices remind us of what we are supposed to be doing as follows of Jesus during the Lenten Season. We are expected to be sincerely examining our conscience looking for the defects that are there. We do not need a special section for sinners in church. We are all sinners. It is humbling to know that, but this is important to admit if there is ever going to be reconciliation.

As we see the scrutinies take place these three weeks of Lent we also see a healing process unfolding before our eyes. It takes courage for the members of the Elect of our parish to stand before us and admit that they are sinners. Our desire would be to show the same fortitude as we ready ourselves for Easter. In a world where leaders refuse to acknowledge that they make mistakes and where the blame game seems to be the only game in town it is refreshing to see people say they are sorry. In reality, it is the only way healing occurs.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark