Rice Bowl, Candidates, and No War

Mar 6

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Rite of Election at the 10 AM Mass on Sunday. We formally enrolled Richard Engebresten and Scott Johnson in our book of initiation affirming their desire to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Kevin Aaron will also be baptized at the Easter Vigil at St. Francis. He has been engaged in the OCIA process at our church in mid-town Manhattan, but will be baptized at our Easter Vigil.

For the next three weekends, we will celebrate what are called the “Scrutinies” with Richard, Scott, and the other candidates who have already been baptized but wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. This year we have thirteen Candidates in addition to the three who will be baptized.

The scrutinies are considered the final stage of the process of entering the church. It is an odd name, but it is what it sounds like. It is a time for the catechumens to closely
examine their lives, acknowledge their weaknesses and sins, and seek God’s mercy. The Gospels for these three Sundays focus on conversion, healing, and new life in Christ: the
Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4), the Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9), and the Raising of Lazarus (John 11). They all speak of the movement from a former way of life to a life of faithfulness and enlightenment through Jesus Christ.

The scrutinies can also serve to help us on our own spiritual journey since we know that conversion is never a one time event but more of an ongoing process. During these next three weeks we too can reexamine our lives, acknowledge our weaknesses and sin and once again seek the light of God’s mercy.

As we enter into this phase of entrance into the church, I ask that you please pray for those who will be baptized at our
Easter Vigil, Kevin Aarons, Richard Engebretsen, Scott Johnson, and those seeking full communion in the Catholic Church, Pam Balogh, Danielle Baran, Emily Bearden, Neil Brown, Maggie Brummer, Michelle DiBella, Dave Goldstein, Eugene Kim, Alexis Lugo, Michele Nielsen, Connor Vaughn, Riley Vaughn, and Lisa Zachman.

May God continue to lead all of us from darkness to light, from hatred to love, from war to peace.

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If you have not seen them already, Catholic Relief Services has asked us to place their CRS Rice Bowls at the doors of the church. For those unfamiliar with them, these “rice bowls” are great for catching that loose change we can collect in our pocket. With credit cards, Venmo, or Apple pay, I am not sure how much change we collect anymore, but the bowls can also serve as a reminder that alms giving is also part of our Lenten practice in addition to prayer and fasting. Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded by the US Bishops Conference, they offer assistance to 130 million people in more than 110 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The CRS Rice Bowls can be a reminder that we are also connected to the global
community.

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Finally, let us fervently pray for peace in our world. I am reminded of St. John Paull II’s response to the threat of war in Iraq in 2003. In his Letter to the Diplomatic Corp,
January 2003, he pleaded that we must say “Yes”: “Yes to Life,” “Respect for Law,” and “Duty of Solidarity.” And out of fear for our future he also said, “the peoples of the earth and their leaders must sometimes have the courage to say “No”: "No to Death,” “No to Selfishness,” and “No to War.” War, he continued, “is always a defeat for humanity.” Let us pray that God will give us the courage to say no to war and that all wars be ended soon. Let us also pray for everyone who lost their lives because of war and for their families who grieve their loss. May they too be touched by God’s healing grace and also be at peace. If you would like to read St. John Paul II's full letter, please scan the QR Code.

To the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See (January 13, 2003)