"I know that the Messiah is coming"

This coming Sunday, the Third Sunday of Lent, is the first of three weeks when, at the 10:00am Mass, we will be having what are called the Scrutinies for those preparing for baptism. Formerly called Catechumens, we now call these people the Elect because they have been accepted by the bishop and called forth to receive the Sacrament of Baptism at the Easter Vigil.

The Scrutinies are, essentially, prayers of exorcism over the Elect as they repent of their sins and prepare their minds and hearts for baptism. The type of exorcism used is what is called a "minor exorcism," meaning they are prayers praying for delivery from sin and protection from the power of Satan. However, they are not like an exorcism where demons are being driven out of a possessed person; that is called a "major exorcism" and they are rare events.

Accompanying these Scrutinies are some of the richest texts contained in the Gospel of John. The first, which we will hear this coming Sunday, is the story of the Woman at the Well. In this story, a woman comes out to a well where Jesus is sitting and has a conversation with him. Her initial attitude is standoffish, followed by engagement, then interest, which eventually leads to awe-filled reverence. In the end, the woman runs back to town and tells everyone about the amazing man she has encountered, and when they come to see him they say, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world."

While there is much more to unpack in this story than what was shared above, the basic underpinning is a story of conversion, and that is why it is picked for the first Scrutiny. Grace works in mysterious ways in our lives; for the woman in the story, what finally awakens her faith is Jesus' telling her what her sins were. This causes her to open up to him and speak of her faith that, "I know that the Messiah is coming," causing Jesus to say, "I am he, the one speaking with you."

As we continue through this Lenten season, and continue to pray for our Elect as their own stories of conversion come to fruition, let us pray that we too may be amazed at God's goodness. Despite our sin, God is merciful and still loves us. And God also continues to ask us to be his messengers to the world, unworthy as we are. God is so good to us; may our hearts grow more and more aware of that each day.

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings this Sunday's Mass.