Scrutinies to uncover, heal hearts of the elect

Published: March 23, 2024

By Betsy Wiederkehr Huss
Blessed Sacrament Church, Jonesboro

Have you ever felt scrutinized by someone? Did they look just at the surface of you? Or did they dig deep into who you truly are?

"Scrutiny," a careful examination or inquiry, nowadays implies a hunt for mistakes and hidden failures. But the Latin, "scrutinium," paints the picture of one digging through a pile of rags, rubbish or broken things in the hopes of uncovering something of value.

The Lenten season is a time of repentance, reconciliation and renewal — a time to see our sin, our brokenness and scrutinize why we choose at times to live in the darkness of it and not in the healing light of Christ, who is the light of the world.

It is a time of parchedness when we thirst and search and then are full of hope, remembering what Jesus is offering us, living water as savior of the world.

It is a time of sorrow and death, awaiting to hear Jesus call us forth to life, as he is the resurrection and the life.

Within Lent, the Catholic community celebrates the scrutinies of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those preparing to be baptized before joining the Church.

The elect, those seeking baptism, experience these rites during the third, fourth and fifth weeks of Lent with Gospel readings from Year A: The Samaritan woman at the well, healing the man born blind and raising Lazarus from the dead.

“The scrutinies are meant to uncover, and then heal all that is weak, defective or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong and good. 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.” (RCIA, no. 141)

We, in the pews, can benefit too from the grace of God and the word encountered during these special liturgies of purification and enlightenment. Our role in these rites is accepting the invitation to pray for the elect. The scrutinies are not just about the rubbish and sin in one’s life but about the healing power and hope the Spirit brings.

Jesus, who loves us dearly, calls each of us out of our sinful, selfish, dark tombs to live with new hearts and renewed lives in this world. To shed those rags that bind us and paralyze us from living in God’s mercy and grace.

When life gets tough, and it will at times, we can refresh ourselves and our souls in the living water of God’s word. This will help us see with new eyes what amazing plans the Lord has for us throughout our lives.

So, when we scrutinize another, I hope we are digging through their brokenness, rags and rubbish to help them — and us — see their great value through God’s eyes, the creator.  Remember, we are to love one another as God loves us. God’s love is abundantly beyond measure.

During the remainder of our Lenten season, as we examine our lives, dig into our motives and actions and seek reconciliation and renewal, may we do so with hope. Sin is our brokenness, rags and rubbish. Yet, God, out of love for us, sent his son, Jesus, who is not shocked by our rags, rubbish and brokenness because he came to give us hope and an abundant new life.

Betsy Wiederkehr Huss has been active in ministry to all ages for more than 40 years. A member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro, she has a master’s degree in theology. This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic March 23, 2024. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.