Did You Know…
Every year the parish of Holy Family baptizes youth and adults at the Easter Vigil?
Because we have “Elect” in our RCIA process, we will be using the readings from Liturgical Cycle Year A on the 3rd Sunday of Lent at the 12 pm Mass ( Mar 19th), on the 4th Sunday of Lent at the 10 am Mass (Mar 26th), and on the 5th Sunday of Lent at the 12 pm Mass (Apr 2nd.) The Church has designated these to be the readings when the Elect, and in solidarity with them, all of us, participate in the “Scrutinies” on these particular Sundays.
To scrutinize means to look at closely, to see all the details. During Lent we are called to take careful note of our lives and how we live them in response to God’s gracious love and mercy toward us. Thus, on the third Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of Living Water that only Christ can give. Only God the Son can provide the grace and redemption that provides us with life everlasting. In solidarity with the Elect, on the 3rd Sunday of Lent, let us acknowledge all of our graces and blessings that only come from God and call us to a full response of faith, just like the Samaritan Woman.
On the 4th Sunday of Lent, along with Elect, we acknowledge that we are blind to our own faults and failings. Just as the blind man is healed by Christ, only Christ can give us the sign needed to honestly look into our hearts and lives and see what must be changed in order to more freely follow Him.
On the 5th Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of the raising of Lazarus, Jesus’ beloved friend, from the dead. The Elect have journeyed throughout the period of the Catechumenate and this time of Purification and Enlightenment, seeking the deepest possible relationship with Jesus.
Jesus wants to become our beloved; He wants all of us to be transformed to new life. In solidarity with the Elect, we seek our Beloved Jesus and pledge our deep desire to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” We know that conversion/transformation can only take place when we die to our own willfulness and selfishness.
Bishop Earl Boyea, at the Rite of Election on March 4th, explained to the Catechumens that they have been called by God to be part of His Church . they are responding to God’s call, not a summons by a friend, a spouse or their own inclination. What does God seek in response to His call? Our hearts are you ready to turn another piece of your heart over to God this Lent?