Oh! Those Long Readings

Last weekend, as we heard the gospel proclaimed, our feet reminded us of a slightly longer than usual reading. The Third Sunday of Lent celebrated the first of the scrutinies with the presentation of those chosen for the Sacraments of Initiation. The gospel is the first of three scriptures from John’s gospel for the instruction of these believers. While the whole worship community listened to the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well, the words were pointedly intended for those to be baptized, confirmed, and brought to Eucharist for the first time at the Great Vigil of Easter.

The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent are designated for the presentation of the elect, or those chosen for the Easter Sacraments. These believers on their faith journey to Easter are presented to the community and assured of the prayers of the faithful. In another sense, the whole community of faith is presented to the elect as the context of hearing God’s Word, searching out God’s presence, and the place where they are lovingly and prayerfully embraced within the Church.

The Word of God invites these elect to faith and that same Word calls us to an intensification of our relationship with the Father in Christ. The gospels are extensive and detailed on these Sundays. Last week the community learned about Jesus as the living water. Water is presented as the metaphor for our life and communion in Christ. Believers, whether new or experienced, are invited to drink of that water which is Christ.

Growing in the Word
Baptismal instruction continues this Fourth Sunday of Lent, when we hear John describe the healing and giving of sight to the Man born blind.

The metaphor of instruction this week is light and vision. As the Women at the well thirsted for water, the Man born blind seeks sight. Not only does he come to see with his eyes by the powerful anointing of Jesus, he comes to know and understand Jesus as light in the darkness.

The Fifth Sunday of Lent will proclaim the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus, the friend of Jesus, dies and is buried. In conversation with Martha and Mary, the grieving sisters, they and we come to know Jesus as the resurrection. Whoever believes in Jesus comes to know eternal life and will never know death. The elect come to hear of Lazarus’ being called from the tomb of death. Lazarus is called to life and is set free of the bindings of death. This resuscitation points all believers to Jesus’ Easter resurrection.

Coming to Faith
The whole community is invited to faith. As part of that believing community, those to be baptized will move through the living waters of baptism and they will be anointed with the Spirit of life. The elect will join other believers at the Easter Vigil at the Lord’s Table, bread is broken and the cup poured out. They and we will come to know what it means to move from death to life, from Baptism, through Confirmation, to Eucharist.

Lent shows how people come to faith. It shows them the way to the Father in Christ. One is invited to faith conversation in Christ himself. The metaphors of instruction of who he is are water, light, and resurrection. Like the Woman at the well, the Man born blind, and Lazarus, we come to know ourselves, made new in the Lord. We move to Easter faith.

CDH