1st Sunday of Lent - This Sunday is known as Temptation Sunday
Since we are using cycle B this year 2021, the Gospel reading will be taken from Mark 1:12-15 and it speaks about Jesus being tempted by Satan and the angels ministering to him.
Catechumens are presented on this Sunday if any, as they will be baptised at Easter vigil
They share in the temptations of Jesus as he was in the Gospel and how to overcome them
Ashes may be received on this Sunday because of various reasons 2nd Sunday of Lent - This particular Sunday is known as the Sunday of Transfiguration.
The Gospel reading is taken From Mark 9:2-10 and it speaks about Jesus being transfigured at the mountain in the presence of few disciples and Moses with Elijah.
For the Catechumen it simply means that they too will be transfigured just like Christ
The significance is that the same words mentioned at his Baptism are mentioned again by the same voice ‘this is my son’. 3rd Sunday of Lent - On this Sunday if there are Catechumens, we read about the Samaritan Woman
That means we use cycle A Gospel found in John4:5-42
It teaches catechumens that Jesus is the source of living waters
But if there are no catechumens we continue with the relevant cycle of the year, in this case Cycle B and the Gospel is taken from John 2:13-25 it is about the destroying of the temple and it being raised after three days. 4th Sunday of Lent - If we have catechumens we shall use Cycle a Gospel John 9:1-41
That gospel speaks of a man born blind but Jesus makes him to see.
Catechumens are still blind at this stage but their eyes will be opened
Also this Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday which means Be Joyful
It is a joyous Sunday and the liturgy takes a turn: 1. Colour – violet or Rose 2. Musical instruments may be played 3. Gloria and Alleluia…. 5th Sunday of Lent - If there are catechumens we shall read on Cycle A Gospel of John 11:1-45
It speaks about a man named Lazarus of Bethany being raised to life
So the Catechumen will be raised on Easter Sunday with Jesus as a new person, as a new member of the Christian faithful
There might be third scrutiny which is optional
Palm Sunday - Remember Palm Sunday is still within Lent - It is within the Holy Week as well
1. Palm Sunday shows the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem
2. Passion Sunday – It points to the sorrow of Christ, hence the Passion readings
Red is the colour of the liturgy that day
Be observant of the liturgical changes in Easter: a movement of purple to red to white
Palm Sunday begins with the blessing of the Palms then a procession with branches or olive tree branches, the gospel is read where the palms are blessed.
If there is a deacon he becomes the narrator of the passion readings.
The priest becomes Jesus in the narrative This Sunday points to the Easter triduum
Whatever that happens in Easter Triduum, is prepared during weekdays of Lent until Holy Thursday. In our Next Session we shall speak about Holy Thursday in Detail
