Adult Initiation & Sacrament Preparation

Last week, the 4th Sunday of Lent, marked the halfway point of the season – Laetare Sunday – one of only two times during the year where the presiding priest wears rose colored vestments instead of the seasonal purple.  This week we begin to sense the end of Lent is near.  In horse racing terms we’re rounding the final turn heading into the stretch.  This is the last Sunday before Palm Sunday.  For many people, the end of our lives here on earth means death – the end of our existence, but as our readings teach us this week, death is not an end, but a transition: The Word for the 5th Sunday of Lent Ezekiel 37:12-14 Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45 We open with a reading from the prophet Ezekiel.  While not often read during the Liturgical cycle, Ezekiel is considered one of the major prophets and his message is as unique as his calling.  Ezekiel, having been born into the priestly class, received his call to prophecy 10 years into the ...

If you are attending a Mass where they are not celebrating the Scrutinies, these are the readings you will hear: Reconciliation.  We Catholics know this word through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, what we also call “confession” or “penance.”  The act of approaching God, through the priest, to seek forgiveness of our sins.  It allows us to let go of the baggage that prevents us from being in right relationship with God and his Church.  That reconciliation is what allows us to share in God’s glory, but it also can be our greatest challenge. The Word for the 4th Sunday of Lent Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 We open with a reading from the Book of Joshua.  Joshua, of course, being the protégé of Moses who is tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land.  The passage opens with God telling Joshua “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”  What does that mean?  Some other Englis...

Our journey through Salvation History continues as we enter the 4th week of Lent.  Not only are we exposed to some pivotal moments in our journey of faith, but in remembering our Baptism we continue to reflect on the symbols and meanings of this sacrament: The Word for the 4th Sunday of Lent - Cycle A Scrutiny 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Our first reading is from 1st Book of Samuel.  Samuel, as you may remember, was the last of the Judges, and the person to whom the people of Israel came to ask for a king.  This was not what God wanted, but he granted their request, and Saul is appointed as the first King of Israel.  At this point in the narrative, Saul is getting on in years, and the people need a successor.  None of Saul’s sons are suited to the task, so God points Samuel to David, whom he anoints as the chosen one.  But how does this story fit with our Psalm in which we sing, “The Lord is my shepherd...

If you are attending a Mass where they are not celebrating the Scrutinies, these are the readings you will hear: Repent and prepare the way of the Lord!  While we may recall these words as the cry of John the Baptist announcing the coming of the Christ, we should not forget that these words have followed us since the dawn of creation all the way down to this very day.  God’s mercy is there waiting for all, but have we answered the call? The Word for the 3rd Sunday of Lent – Cycle C Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 9 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Luke 13:1-9 Our readings during this Lent have reminded us of our Covenant relationship with God, answering God’s call to be his people.  Last week we heard the story of Abram, and this week we witness God’s call to the next great patriarch, Moses.  At this point in our narrative Moses has fled Egypt and has been living in the land of Midian.  While tending the flock, Moses is drawn up the mountain of God b...

We are now deep into our Lenten season of reflection, and from this Sunday through to Palm Sunday, our readings take on much deeper meaning as we continue our journey through Salvation History.  In fact, the Church has found this cycle of readings to be so important she has chosen them to be used specifically for the OCIA in the Scrutiny Rites.  So if you attend a Mass where the Scrutinies are taking place, these are the readings you will here: The Word for the 3rd Sunday of Lent – Cycle A Exodus 17:3-7 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42 We open a reading from the book of Exodus.  At this point the Israelites have escaped Pharaoh and his army having crossed the Red Sea.  They are now free but have yet to reach Mount Sinai.  They are traveling through the “wilderness,” a barren stretch of land between the sea and the Sinai.  Their food was running out so the Lord gave them manna.  Now the water is running out and there is none to be fo...

Revelation and covenant.  These are core elements of our faith.  Revelation is how God has “revealed” himself to us – how God has made is presence known to us.  Covenant is the basis of our relationship with God – how he seeks a continuing and growing relationship with us.  Both these elements play a role in understanding our readings on this 2nd Sunday of Lent: The Word for the 2nd Sunday of Lent Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 9:28b-36 Our first reading is from the book of Genesis.  Here we learn of the covenants made between God and Abram (who we will know later as Abraham).  The opening of our passage reminds us of the covenant where God promised that Abram’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars.  From there God promises Abram the land – a place where his descendants will live – the “promised land” that Moses will later lead the people.  But Abram needs proof.  How will he know that it...