Scrutinies Lead to Holy Week 

This weekend we have the first of three ‘scrutiny’ prayers with the elect. Most people know these three Sundays in Lent as the “Sundays with the long gospel readings.” The three beautiful gospel stories – Jesus and the woman at the well, the healing of the blind man, and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead – are full of symbols, miracles, and opportunities for all of us to realize the real meaning of Jesus as our Savior. 

The readings are particularly assigned for the “Elect,” those in their final weeks of preparation for becoming Christian through Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. The Scrutiny prayers (asking for God to help them leave sin behind and turn to God) will take place at the 8:30 Mass each Sunday. 

Make an extra effort to add the names of the Elect in your prayers these weeks of Lent. I suggest cutting out the list of names in the bulletin and having it on your dining table to remember them at your meal prayers. 

God’s Peace, 
Fr. Jim Deiters