Scrutiny involves "critical observation or examination" of something. Fr. Tony Cutcher explains the Church's use of scrutiny in understanding Scripture, in forming adult converts to the Faith (through RCIA), and in living out the gospel. He says: "Our response to an encounter with Christ should be to spread the news...We are called to be witnesses because we encounter the Christ every day of our lives and, physically, here in the Eucharist every week."

"Lent gives us that time to look beyond the physical," says Fr. Tony Cutcher, reflecting on the implications of the Transfiguration of Christ. He continues: "We still have six weeks to transfigure our souls so that when we do get to the celebration of Easter, we — like the disciples — will want to stay in that wonderful light of Christ."

Meditating on the Transfiguration of Jesus, Fr. Deepak D'Souza reflects on God's ability to transfigure each of us in the midst of pain and suffering. He says: "The Lord speaks to us much more strongly, much more vividly whenever we are in difficulty...When we don't know how to proceed, when we are totally confused, He is with us all the more."

"Life comes from loving," says Fr. Frank Ruff when sharing about the work of Unbound Ministries. Addressing a fundamental question in our culture today — that of identity — Fr. Frank says: "Our primary identity is that we (you and I) are disciples of Jesus. We have to be people who know how to think like Jesus, how to respond like Jesus, how to speak like Jesus."

On Ash Wednesday, Fr. Tony Cutcher discusses the purpose of making Lenten sacrifices such as prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. He says: "We're called to repent, to change our direction, to look at the way we are moving through life and to figure out if this is the right way to go. Every year during Lent, for 40 days, we get to make a correction in the way our spiritual life is going, to get it back on track with what God wants for us."

At the start of Lent, Fr. Deepak D'Souza talks about the practical and spiritual benefits of fasting. He says: "That physical craving for food can help us to have that craving for the divine, so we can meditate better, pray better. And our prayer, with that sacrifice, will become much more meaningful."

How something looks on the outside isn't always a good indication of what's on the inside. As the season of Lent approaches, Fr. Tony Cutcher reflects on the necessity of deep self-examination. He says: "What can we do to chip away at the beam we're carrying so that we can indeed be the image of Christ to those with the speck in their eye?"

It's easy to find faults in others. But are we able to see them in ourselves? Fr. Deepak D'Souza discusses the importance of self-examination and finding the good. He says: "When our heart is full of deceit, malice, hate, and anger, the evil will come out somehow...It's only by our example we can teach our children. If we do not have that goodness, what will our children learn?"

What does it mean to be anointed? To be chosen? To be a beloved child of God? Fr. Tony Cutcher reflects on the unique mark and call of Christians. Appealing to mercy, he says: "Forgiveness is at the root of our life as Christians. Forgiveness is how we model the love of God."

Love your enemies. This concept may be one of the most difficult in all of Scripture to accept and live out. Fr. Joseph Kindel offers a truly moving reflection on this commandment and all its implications, saying. "There's really no way to sugarcoat or water down what Jesus is saying: Love your enemies."