Fourth Sunday of Lent and Second Scrutiny of RCIA

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the second of the three Scrutinies of the Elect. Scrutinies are special rites for the Elect, those preparing to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.  "The scrutinies," the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults says, "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."  The scrutinies are intended to make the Elect more aware of their own sinfulness and their need for a Redeemer. 

The Scrutinies are ancient rites, reaching back into the early years of the Church.  The Elect come forward before the assembly.  Special petitions ask God's blessing on them.  Then Father Agustin prays an exorcism, asking God to cast out the spirit of evil from their hearts.  This prayer is followed by the ritual gesture of the laying on of hands.  Father Agustin then prays a concluding prayer for the freedom and protection of the Elect, and dismisses them from the assembly.  The Scrutinies are solemn prayers that are meant to do nothing less than "complete the conversion of the elect."

For those of us who accompany the elect on their journey, this is a time of renewal as we also drive sin from our lives through our practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We rediscover in Christ the living waters of faith, a transformation into his light, and a renewed life in his Holy Spirit. We, too, walk the Lenten journey but to conversion and renewal.

Let us be stay silent for a moment to prepare our minds and hearts to our brothers and sisters celebrate their second scrutiny and let us unite our intentions with the intentions of our mother the Roman Catholic Church ■