Brothers and Sisters - At 10:30am Mass today, I celebrate the First Scrutiny. The next two Sundays will also have a Scrutiny. These are Rites of the Church on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent.
Next week in my message I will write about the "Exorcism" and the following week a word on the "Anointing with Oil of Catechumens". The purpose of the Scrutinys is to help us RENEW our Baptismal Promises. "Scrutiny" is a word from the old English meaning, to examine very carefully (to scrutinize).
To help us Scrutinize and RENEW our Promises of Baptism, the Catholic Church uses the 3 great Conversion Gospels from the Cycle A Sunday Lectionary: The Samaritan Woman at the Well - John 4; The Man Born Blind - John 9; and The Raising of Lazarus - John 11.
There are two parts to the Rite: The Rite with the Prayer of Exorcism and the Anointing with Oil of Catechumens.
Pastor's Question for the Week: How do you acknowledge the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides you to Christ throughout the day?
Pastor's Question for the Week for Children: Are you praying, "Come, Holy Spirit," during your day?
Sincerely in the Lord,
Father Richard York, your Pastor