A note of joy is
struck, for having died to sin with Christ during Lent, we will rise again with Him and be
part of His mystical Body, the Church which is the new Jerusalem. Thus the Introit:
"Rejoice, Jerusalem."
Isaiah, Chapter
54, verse 14:
In justice shall
you be established, far from oppression, you shall not fear, from destruction, it cannot come near.
Isaiah
in this chapter states that God will create a new Zion, which He has in the
State of Israel and God gives assurances of love for Israel and of safety from
various possible threats; the phrase sums up both the positive aspects of shalom,
which implies a fullness of blessing, and protection from all that might harm and
a perpetual promise of peace-shalom.
If
we wish to have peace or Shalom, we must develop a holy fear, that is
wonder and awe at God, in ourselves to do so, we should read the bible every
day. Perhaps today would be a good day to shut off the TV and read a chapter a
day for every day of your life or read the daily readings for the Mass. Perhaps
doing this along with a family dinner where you pray together over the meal and
then read the bible together would help strengthen families.
A
good resources to peruse to strengthen the family is:
Consolation in Poverty[1]
To
those poor who follow Christ this gospel is full of consolation, as it shows that
from the very beginning of the world God has cared for His children. For the comfort
and preservation of His chosen people He sent Joseph before them into Egypt (Gen.
xlv. 5 ; Ps. civ. 4). He sustained the children of Israel/during forty years in
the wilderness with bread from heaven (Deut. Viii) He feed the prophet Elias,
sending him and flesh by a raven (in. Kings xvii. 6). He remembered Daniel lying
in the lion’s den (Dan. xiv. 37). In the New Testament also God has shown His care
for His own by nourishing and feeding them in their greatest need, at times through
the instrumentality of animals and at times by that of angels and of men as we read
in the lives of the saints.
The Second Scrutiny
On
this Sunday is celebrated the second scrutiny in preparation for the Baptism of
the catechumens who are to be admitted to the Sacraments of Christian Initiation
at the Easter Vigil.
Invitation
to Silent Prayer
After
the homily the elect and their godparents come before the celebrant. The
celebrant first addresses the assembly of the faithful, inviting them to pray
in silence. The celebrant invites the elect to pray.
Celebrant: Elect of God, bow your heads (or kneel
down) and pray. (While prayer is being said for the elect, the godparents place
their right hand on the shoulder of the one they are sponsoring.
All
pray for some time in silence. Then the community and the elect stand for the
intercessions.)
Intercessions
for the Elect
The
celebrant addresses the assembly of the faithful in the following words. Celebrant: Let us pray for these elect whom God has called, that they may
remain faithful to him and boldly give witness to the words of eternal life. Reader: That,
trusting in the truth of Christ, they may find freedom of mind and heart and
preserve it always, let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer. Reader: That, preferring the folly of the cross to
the wisdom of the world, they may glory in God alone, let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer. Reader: That
freed by the power of the Spirit, they may put all fear behind them and press forward with confidence, let us pray to
the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer. Reader: That
transformed in the Spirit, they may seek those things that are holy and just,
let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord,
hear our prayer. Reader: That all
who suffers persecution for Christ’s name may find their strength in him; let
us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear
our prayer. Reader: That those
families and nations prevented from embracing the faith may be granted freedom
to believe the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer. Reader:
That we who are faced with the values of the world may remain faithful to the
spirit of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer. Reader:
That the whole world, which the Father so loves, may attain in the Church
complete spiritual freedom, let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Exorcism
The
celebrant turns to the elect and with hands joined says: Let us pray, Father of
mercy, you led the man born blind to the kingdom of light through the gift of
faith in your Son. Free these elect from the false values that surround and
blind them. Set them firmly in your truth, children of the light forever. We
ask this through Christ our Lord. R.
Amen.
The
celebrant may lay his hand in silence on each one of the elect, then he extends
his hand over the elect and continues: Lord Jesus, you are the true light that
enlightens the world. Through your Spirit of truth free those who are enslaved
by the father of lies. Stir up the desire for good in these elect whom you have
chosen for your sacraments. Let them rejoice in your light, that they may see, and,
like the man born blind whose sight you restored, let them prove to be staunch
and fearless witnesses to the faith, for you are Lord for ever and ever. R. Amen.
Dismissal
of the Elect
The
celebrant dismisses the elect in these or similar words: Dear elect, go in
peace, and join us again at the next scrutiny. May the Lord remain with you
always. The Elect: Amen.
[1]
Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.
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