Every second and third year in parishes across the country, pastors and liturgical leaders ask, “Why can’t we use the Year B/C readings for the scrutinies this year?” It’s an understandable question. After all, the Sunday assembly would get to hear the important readings they are missing from the B or C cycle. Surely Year B’s stories of Jesus driving the money changers out of the Temple, Nicodemus, and the Transfiguration relate powerfully to baptismal preparation. Or what about Year C’s parables of the fig tree, the prodigal son, and Jesus’ challenge to those without sin to cast the first stone? Using these readings could open up the riches of Scripture for the assembly during Lent.

Yet despite the appeal of these stories, the deep tradition of the church directs us to use the Year A readings — even in Years B and C — when we have elect who are preparing for initiation. Why are these readings, particularly the gospels, so essential for the scrutiny rites?

Understanding the purpose of the scrutinies

The answer to that question lies in understanding the purpose of the scrutinies. These rites are relatively new to us, and so we do not have the spiritual goal of the scrutinies deeply embedded in our bones. The church teaches that the purpose of the scrutinies is “to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect” and “to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good” (RCIA, 141).

The true pastoral sense of this two-fold act of uncovering and strengthening is emphasized in the next sentence of 141: “For the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.”

And finally, the climax of this short teaching on the necessity of the scrutinies for the elect says:

These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all.

RCIA 141

So the importance of the scrutinies is that they complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to become disciples. The way that the scrutinies accomplish the completion of conversion and deepening of resolve is two-fold: the proclamation of the specified gospels and the prayer of exorcism, which is based upon those gospels.

The church teaches that the purpose of the scrutinies is “to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect” and “to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good” (RCIA, 141).

Wisdom embodied in the tradition

The three gospels for the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, Year A —the Samaritan Woman, Man Born Blind, and Raising of Lazarus ­­— have been specifically assigned to Lent long before our modern three-year lectionary cycle was created after the Second Vatican Council. The wisdom embodied in this tradition remains relevant today.

In a very real way, these three readings “scrutinize” the elect. As the living word of God is proclaimed in these three specific ways, the word itself examines the hearts of the elect and confronts them about their resolve to overcome worldly thirsts, to see with the eyes of Christ, and to hold fast to the promise of eternal life.

This “scrutinizing” happens in a two-part movement. “First of all, the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin [by the gospel], from which the whole world and every person longs to be delivered and thus saved” (RCIA 143).

The gradual instruction about the mystery of sin is subtly progressive. The story of the Samaritan Woman is meant to give the elect deeper insight into the danger of sin in its individual dimension. The story of the man born blind is more focused on devastating impact of sinful social structures and institutions that have turned away from God’s grace. And the Lazarus story shows us the impact of sin in its most radical and tragic form. The ultimate loss of hope is to give in to the power of death. In this final scrutiny, the elect and the community renew their hope and belief in Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life.

It would not be accurate to say that each scrutiny is exclusively focused on only one aspect of the mystery of sin. But the progressive nature of the scrutinies and their three gospel stories helps catechize about the full nature of the shattering consequences of sin.

The second part of the scrutinizing action of these rites is to reaffirm in the elect and the community of the hope that Christ offers.

Second, their spirit is filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is the living water (gospel of the Samaritan woman in the first scrutiny), the light of the world (gospel of the man born blind in the second scrutiny), the resurrection and the life (gospel of Lazarus in the third scrutiny).

RCIA 143

The readings in the B and C cycles simply cannot scrutinize and instruct the elect in this way. Since very early on, the church has held up gospels of the Samaritan woman, the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus as having particular power to move the elect to deeper conversion and resolve.

The progressive nature of the scrutinies and their three gospel stories helps catechize about the full nature of the shattering consequences of sin.

The prayer of exorcism

The second half of the scrutinies is the prayer of exorcism. In the period of purification and enlightenment, these exorcisms free the elect from the effects of sin and from any residual influence of evil. These powerful prayers give the elect “new strength in midst of their spiritual journey” (RCIA 144).

We do not have to read far into the exorcism prayers to see that their inspiration and content flows directly from the gospels of the Samaritan woman, the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus. These references to the assigned gospels are not mere thematic ornamentations. They are compelling supplications calling upon the God of power and mercy to protect and free the elect from all worldly restraints.

Some argue that using alternate readings could equally accomplish the goals of the scrutiny rites and have proposed adapting the exorcism prayers to reflect the images in the B and C gospels. However, the rite does not give the option to adapt these particular prayers. To do so would diminish the impact of the rite to deepen the conversion of the elect and strengthen their resolve. The gospels of the B and C cycles lack both the prophetic power and the progressive nature of the Year A gospels.

The genius of the church’s tradition is its tested, proven effectiveness over time. The accumulated spiritual wisdom contained in the Year A readings simply has no equal. The texts have been sanctified by constant usage in the midst of prayer and sacrament. God’s grace active in these readings truly transforms hearts. Why cast aside generations of tradition and wisdom?

“But the assembly is missing out on Year B/C readings!” some object. This concern, while valid, loses sight of the liturgy’s purpose. The goal is not hearing more Scripture but fervently interceding for the elect as they draw nearer to baptism. And we must remember that for the elect, this will be the only time in their lives that they will hear these particular gospels as elect.

The church’s insistence on maintaining the scrutiny tradition is no arbitrary legalism but the result of the church’s shepherding based on centuries of experience. Submitting to this guidance places us in harmony with generations of Christians before us, spiritually interconnected through shared celebration of the lenten journey to the baptismal waters. The goal of the scrutinies is to complete the conversion of the elect to Christ and to strengthen their resolve to engage in the mission as lifelong disciples. Let us do everything we can to help them hear Christ’s voice in these gospels.

Can you help me out?

I’d love to know how this is landing. Can you share a word or a phrase about how this article resonates with you? Does it speak to your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments box below. Thanks for being part of the conversion!