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THE SECOND SCRUTINY: Jesus Gives Sight to the Man Born Blind: John 9:1-41

Updated: Mar 29

"I was blind but not I see"
"I was blind but not I see"

READ: JOHN 9:1-41


OPENING PRAYER;

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


O God,

who renew the world through mysteries beyond all telling,

grant, we pray, that your Church may be guided

by your eternal design and not be deprived of your help

in this present age.


Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN


Watch the following videos:


Download the Lectio Divina below for John 9:1-41 and experience it as a family.


REVIEW OF THE SCRUTINIES

  1. The stories of the woman at the well, the man born blind and the raising of Lazarus from the dead are a set of readings that must always be proclaimed whenever we celebrate the Scrutinies during LENT.

  2. Remember that the Scrutinies are the special rites during the period of PURIFICATION, HEALING, and ENLIGHTENMENT for those who will be baptized during the Easter Vigil.

  3. These readings are VERY important also for those who are already baptized and remind us about our baptismal promises.

    1. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is not so much about the woman believing in Christ but about the woman fulfilling her role in proclaiming the Gospel.

    2. She reminds us that our baptism commits us to a life of evangelization (telling others about the love and saving power of Jesus Christ by the every day witness of our lives.


    3. The story of the man born blind is not so much about the man being healed as it is about seeing as we were created to see, with spiritual eyes of praise and worship of God Almighty.

    4. Likewise, the story of Lazarus is not so much about Jesus raising him from the dead but about having faith in Christ even when it looks like death has won. This story is about commitment to a life of faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord.

REFLECTION on the SECOND SCRUTINY: THE MAN BORN BLIND


The man born blind is gradually converted from a life as a blind beggar who used to sit and beg, to a life full of spiritual light, proclaiming and worshipping Jesus as Lord and Savior.


  1. First the man born blind, only knew Jesus by name and what he did: "The man called Jesus anointed my eyes and told me to wash".


  2. Next, when questioned again, he said "He is a prophet." (someone with divine power and authority.)


  3. Then when asked to confess that Jesus is a sinner, the man who God healed refuses and repeats that Jesus truly healed him. One thing I know: I was blind and now i see.


  4. When asked again how Jesus healed him, the man becomes stronger and BOLDER and stands up to the pressure from the Pharisees to condemn Jesus : " I've told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again. Do YOU want to become one of his disciples?"


  5. The man who can now see with God's spiritual eyes of the heart says: 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners; he does listen to people who respect him and do what he wants them to do. 32 Since the beginning of the world nobody has ever heard of anyone giving sight to a person born blind. 33 Unless this man came from God, he would not be able to do a thing.”


  6. Finally, Jesus reveals his identity as the Son of Man to the man who once was blind. The man proclaims that he believes in Jesus as the Son of Man and worships Jesus.


APPLICATION to YOUR LIFE to ponder:

  1. Like the Pharisees (religious leaders), we can become spiritually blind, clinging to our own ideas and perspectives. What keeps me from clearly seeing God's will for me?


  2. True spiritual sight comes from admitting our need for God and humbly seeking his guidance. From what sins do i need to be cleansed?


  3. The man's FAITH in Jesus, even before he received his sight is a powerful example of TRUSTING in God's power. How does my FAITH sustain me through trials and difficulties?


  4. We can pray to receive such FAITH to trust in God's REAL POWER to heal and transform our lives. How do my words and actions speak to what I believe about Jesus?


  5. By trusting in Jesus, we can walk in His Light and experience the happiness and fullness of life that he offers ALL of us. Ask Jesus in PRAYER to increase your trust to be able to see all He is doing in your life with HIS LIGHT and LIFE.




ORDER OF MASS

Saturday, March 29, 2025 @ 4:00 PM


We will follow the usual Order of Mass through the Liturgy of the Word and Homily.

Be sure to review the MASS PREPARATION for the 4th Sunday in LENT, March 30, 2025 on the Parable of the Prodigal Son or as WE know it: The Merciful Father.


PRAYER in SILENCE

After the Homily, the ELECT with their godparents are called forward and stand before the celebrant (PRIEST)


He will ask all of us to pray for the ELECT asking God to give them:

  1. a spirit of REPENTANCE, (turning back to God)

  2. a sense of their SIN, and

  3. the TRUE FREEDOM experienced by the children of God


The PRIEST may then pray for the ELECT:

with words like these:


Let us pray for these ELECT, whom God has called that in him they may remain HOLY and GIVE STRONG TESTIMONY to the words of eternal life.


That trusting in the truth of Christ,

they may attain and ever preserve freedom of mind and heart,

let us pray to the Lord:

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


That, contemplating the wisdom of the Cross,

they may learn to glory in God,

who confounds the wisdom of the world,

Lord hear our prayer

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


That, set free in the power of the Holy Spirit

they may be converted from fear to trust, let us pray to the Lord:

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


That, being made spiritual,

they may discern those things that are holy and just,

let us pray to the Lord

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


That all who suffer persecution for the name of Christ

may receive his help,

let us pray to the Lord;

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


That those families and peoples

who are prevented from embracing the faith

may be granted freedom to believe the Gospel,

let us pray to the Lord:

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


That we who are occupied with the concerns of this world,

may remain faithful to the spirit of the Gospel,

let us pray to the Lord:

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


That the whole world, beloved by the Father,

may come to full spiritual freedom in the Church,

let us pray to the Lord:

Response: Lord Hear Our Prayer


PRAYER FOR PROTECTION and ANOINTING

Most Merciful Father,

who granted the man born blind to believe in your Son,

and through this faith to come to the kingdom of your light,

grant also that your ELECT here present may be freed from deceits that surround and blind them,

so that, firmly grounded in the TRUTH

they may become children of light and remain so for ever.

Through Christ our Lord.


ANOINTING with Oil of Catechumens


Lord Jesus, true light who enlighten all people,

by the Spirit of truth free all who are oppressed

beneath the yoke of the Father of lies.

and stir up good will in those you have chosen for your Sacraments,

that delighting in the joy of your light,

and, like the blind man you once restored to sight,

they may prove to be staunch and fearless witnesses to the faith

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

AMEN


PRAYERS of the FAITHFUL

DISMISSAL of the ELECT and the CANDIDATES for Continuing Conversion

The Elect and the Candidates for Continuing Conversion follow Ms. Sue out the the San Juan Diego Room. Parents, Family, and Godparents remain in the Mass




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