3rd Sunday of Lent

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. Apparently, in the primitive Church, it was call 'Scrutiny Sunday'. This was because that this was the day when catechumens were examined for their preparing of Baptism on Easter night. All the faithful were invited to assemble in the church, in order that they might bear testimony to the good life and morals of the candidates. The catechumen who is now expecting the grace of Baptism, and the penitent who is looking forward to the day of his reconciliation, express, in the Introit of today, the ardor of their longings. They humble confess their present misery; but they are full of hope in Him, who is soon to set them free from the snare.

In the Gospel today, Jesus casts out a devil from someone who is dumb. 'As soon as Jesus had cast out the devil, the man recovered his speech, for the possession had made him dumb. It is an image of what happens to a sinner, who will not, or dare not, confess his sin. If he confessed it, and asked pardon, he would be delivered from the tyranny which now oppresses him. Alas! how many there are who are kept back, by a dumb devil, from making the confession that would save them! The holy season of Lent is advancing; these days of grace are passing away; let us profit by them; and if we ourselves be in the state of grace, let us offer up our earnest prayers for sinners, that they may 'speak', that is, may accuse themselves in confession and obtain pardon.' From "The Liturgical Year".

The following is from the Mozarabic breviary:

Having now passed the fourteenth day of this season, which forms the tithe of our year, we lift up our eyes to thee, O Lord, who dwellest in heaven. Show mercy to the miserable, and heal them that are wounded. Grant that the journey we have begun may be prosperous. Direct our hearts in the way of thy commandments. Through thee may we find the way of light; through thee, may we be inflamed with the bright burning of thy love. Grant rest to our labours, and a home to us that labour; that having gained thy good pleasure by our observance of these days, we may deserve to be partakers of thy glory.