Faith in Focus: As God Sees Us

Over the past few weeks, our newly named “Elect” (those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil) have been participating in three successive rites, known as “Scrutinies.” These rites, with roots dating back to the early Church, take place during the Sunday Mass, each thematically linked to the Gospel reading for that Mass. The three passages from St. John’s Gospel for these Sundays were selected around 500 AD as powerful depictions of the hidden transformation God accomplishes in the Elect through each Scrutiny. Each proclamation emphasizes repentance and conversion as the Light of Christ comes to pierce the darkness of sin and to bring life where there is death.

The “Elect” kneel before the celebrant and the assembly, who pray for them silently with a series of intercessions. It culminates in a prayer of cleansing and protection with the laying-on-of-hands. Each Scrutiny is a step in preparing the Elect for the celebration and initiation soon to come.  The Scrutinies are God’s way of taking a close, loving look at the Elect. God does not scrutinize the Catechumens in order to find what’s wrong with them but to celebrate all that’s beautiful, good, and true in them. Jesus “scrutinizes” us with Divine Light, revealing all that is valuable within each of us. Jesus also reveals to us the ways in which we are hurting, or sick, or sinful. This is not to reject us, but to call us to new life and to healing.
 
At the Easter Vigil, these ten men and women will receive the gift of God’s grace in baptism. In return, they will willingly offer their gifts in the service of God and God’s Kingdom. As we continue our Lenten journeys, may we join them in preparing our own hearts to celebrate all that is beautiful, good, and true.