Taking God’s love seriously
Yesterday in our parish Sunday Mass many will have experienced the first scrutiny - and allowed that gospel encounter of the woman with Jesus at the well to interpret our own lives and inner longings. As we walk with Christ, our way, our truth, our life, along the lenten pathway towards Easter, we too meet the people he meets - through wilderness, up and down mountains, thirsty woman, blind man, dead man, welcoming crowd, angry mob - we too enter into that sense of being 'handed over', and having to trust God that this is the right path. And the scrutinies are moments of self-searching, repentance, enlightenment. They are described in RCIA 141 as having a spiritual purpose - to uncover and heal all that is weak, and to bring out and strengthen all that is good and strong. Their aim is to 'complete' conversion and deepen our resolve to hold on to Christ. Their focus is towards salvation and the resulting new life and freedom that brings. As individuals and community, in reflecting on the experience of the scrutinies, may we become more and more consciously aware of being filled with Christ - living water, light of the world, resurrection and life. We are not diminished by the experience.. we are set free.
So, what was the experience like for you? In what ways are you 'thirsty'? What does the encounter tell you about Christ?
February 26th, 2008 - 17:47
Here in Hayes we celebrated this wonderful first scrutiny followed by dismissal which hasn’t been done for a long time. (I personally have never experienced nor led dismissal – no particular reasons.) In the group sharing of the experience of the scrutiny, words were hard to find to express the presence of God deep within, a peaceful presence. A couple were visibly, deeply moved. The journey was beginning to ‘make sense’, ‘feel right’. The ‘thirst’ for the sacraments to be celebrated became more apparent, a thirst welling up to great anticipation, joy as well as nervousness and apprehension. We eagerly await for the experience of the second scrutiny!