OCIA Session 21 Supplement - Scrutiny II - Freedom from sin, living in grace

Scrutiny II - Freedom from sin, living in grace


The second Scrutiny builds on the first. If the first Scrutiny focuses on healing from sin and relying on God’s mercy, the second emphasizes freedom - the freedom that comes when we are no longer chained by sin but live fully in God’s grace. Jesus came not only to forgive us but to set us free. John 8:36 tells us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” The Scrutinies help us step into that freedom.

The readings chosen for this Scrutiny highlight this truth. In John 9 we hear about the man born blind. His blindness kept him in darkness, unable to see. Jesus came, touched his eyes with mud, and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. Suddenly, he could see. But the story goes deeper than physical healing - it is about spiritual sight. The Pharisees, though they could see with their eyes, were blind in their hearts because of pride. The healed man, however, recognized Jesus as Lord. This story is about freedom from the blindness of sin, about seeing clearly with the eyes of faith.

Sin blinds us. It distorts the way we see ourselves, others, and God. Pride blinds us to our need for grace. Anger blinds us to compassion. Lust blinds us to real love. Greed blinds us to generosity. But Christ opens our eyes. He gives us new vision. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” This is what living in grace means - being made new, seeing clearly, and walking in freedom.

The second Scrutiny reminds us that freedom is not simply doing whatever we want. That kind of “freedom” actually leads to slavery, because sin always traps us. True freedom is the ability to do what is good, to love as God loves, and to live in truth. Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Grace gives us that freedom - it strengthens us to choose good, even when temptation pulls us the other way.

Here’s a humor break: some people think freedom means never having rules. But think about sports. A soccer game with no rules, no lines, and no referee would not be freedom - it would be chaos. The rules of the game make the freedom to play possible. In the same way, God’s commandments and His grace are not restrictions but the boundaries that allow us to live in true freedom.

The Church prays during this Scrutiny that God will deliver you from the lies of sin and the traps of the devil. It asks for your eyes to be opened, your heart to be set free, and your life to be filled with grace. This is not only for catechumens preparing for baptism but for all of us who need constant renewal. Freedom from sin is not a one-time victory - it is a lifelong process of walking in God’s grace.

Take time to reflect: what are the areas where you feel blinded by sin? Is it pride that keeps you from admitting weakness? Is it anger that clouds your compassion? Is it doubt that blocks your trust in God? Ask Jesus to open your eyes, like the man born blind, so you can see clearly and follow Him.

Here’s your practical challenge: read John 9 this week and imagine yourself in the story. Where do you identify - with the blind man, desperate for healing? With the Pharisees, clinging to pride? With the neighbors, confused by what happened? Let Jesus speak to you through this Gospel. Pray each day with the words of Psalm 27:1 - “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?”

In closing, remember this: freedom is not the absence of rules but the presence of grace. Christ came to open our eyes, to set us free from sin, and to give us new life. The second Scrutiny reminds us that the Christian life is not about surviving in darkness but about walking in the light. Next time, we will turn to the third Scrutiny, which focuses on strength against temptation, so that we may stand firm in God’s love. Until then, live as children of the light, walking in the freedom that only Christ can give.