On the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, the scrutinies are celebrated with the elect (those who are to be baptized at the Easter Vigil) in the presence of the worshipping community. In our case this is taking place at the Life Teen Mass. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults teaches us that “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.” The Gospel passages of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, his giving sight to the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus on these three Sundays are all clearly baptismal in focus and point to water, light, and new life that come from the sacraments of initiation.
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