I. FOR THE CONFERRAL OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
1. Catechumenate and Christian Initiation of Adults
-Second Scrutiny
The readings and chants are always taken from the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A (#31A). The following reading may also be chosen: Exodus 13:21-22.
The LORD preceded the people,
in the daytime by means of a column of cloud to show them the way,
and at night by means of a column of fire to give them light.
Thus they could travel both day and night.
Neither the column of cloud by day
nor the column of fire by night
ever left its place in front of the people.
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Commentary on Ex 13:21-22
This passage follows the release of the Israelites from bondage by Pharaoh. They are walking through the wilderness, headed for the Red Sea. God leads them with a unique phenomena; pillars of cloud by day and fire by night. "The cloud and the fire are the sign that shows God is with them. The sacred writer gives all these details to make it clear that the entire people see with their eyes that God himself had brought them out of Egypt, was leading them, was protecting them, and was making himself manifest to them."[1]
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* Note: this passage is not published in the Lectionary. It is placed here for reference since it is an option listed for the Second Scrutiny.
[1] The Navarre Bible: “Pentateuch”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 297
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