The catechumenate rites are not spectator events. This section of RCIA instructs:
145. The priest or deacon who is the presiding celebrant should carry out the celebration in such a way that the faithful in the assembly will also derive benefit from the liturgy of the scrutinies and join in the intercessions for the elect.
In my thinking, I ask, “What kind of benefit is appropriate for the Lenten season?” It seems clear that for the people in the pews, there is no better time to address the issue of the sacrament of reconciliation and to link it with baptism. In some parishes, there is a practice to include in the intercessions a certain wording that suggests that we the baptized also scrutinize our lives at Lent. It’s called an examination of conscience. Is the spiritual kinship between the scrutinies and the ongoing cultivation of Christian conscience made evident? The homily would certainly be one means. Another would be the wording of the intercessions. The inclusion of outright vocal participation, especially through singing, would be another. As we get into the particulars of the scrutiny, we’ll look at those possibilities then. Meanwhile, any comments on the baptism-reconciliation link for Lent and the scrutinies. How have you done it, or seen it done?
