The Third Sunday of Lent – March 3, 2024
“Why can’t we use Year B or C readings for the Scrutinies? We’ve written prayers to fit so the assembly wouldn’t miss out on them.”
I hear this every time we’re not in Year A, and, yes, one of the blessings of the revised Lectionary after Vatican II was the opportunity to hear a wider range of biblical readings over the course of three years. But sometimes having more options isn’t always better.
Regardless of what history and the ritual books say, the most convincing argument is that the elect will be the elect only once in their lives.
In Gospel books from as early as the seventh century, scholars have found this specific set of readings from John’s Gospel—the woman at the well, the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus—in that same order and always connected to days associated with baptismal preparation. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults requires these Year A readings to be used whenever the Scrutinies are celebrated. Even the Lectionary allows Year A readings for the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent in any year.
Regardless of what history and the ritual books say, the most convincing argument is that the elect will be the elect only once in their lives. Today and the following two Sundays will be the only time they will ever hear these significant readings from John’s Gospel as the elect. For that reason alone, we should let these Year A readings speak for their sake.
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