Some Observations on the Rite of Election
A little Landmark event on your journey to being received into the Catholic Church.
An opportunity to stand with other Catechumens and Candidates from across the Diocese of Nottingham and express your desire to;
-enter fully into the Life of the Church.
-seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
Parish Representatives will then confirm their readiness to be admitted as full members of the Catholic Church.
The Rite helps to show how we are members of something much bigger than ourselves, the Church, the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ.
I am reminded of how God showed Elijah that he was not on his own.
1 Kings 19: 14 “I am the only one left…”
1Kings 19: 18 “I still have left in Israel seven thousand followers…”
Paul speaks of election as God having chosen us before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:4-7 – …For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
Remember Paul was a very unlikely candidate to become Christian.
See Acts 9: 1-36
Paul himself says;
I Corinthians 15:9: For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
It may be that we all have a Divine Appointment, within our lifetime, where we have an opportunity to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord.
God knows us through and through.
Psalm 139: 13 – It was you who created my inmost self, and put me together in my mother’s womb.
The Book of Life
During the Rite of Election Catechumens and Candidates are invited to sign the Book of the Elect. I see a parallel here with the “Book of Life” mentioned in the Bible.
Revelation 20:12 – I (John) saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of the throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.
Other references to the Book of Life;
Rev – 3:5 -the overcomers
Rev – 13:8 – the Lamb’s Book of Life
Rev 17:8
Rev 20:15
Rev 22:19
Philippians 4:3
Luke 10:20 –“…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Ex 32:32
Psalm 69:28
Though some of these quotes are stated in the negative the principle remains that there is a book of life.
When I think of the Lamb’s Book of Life I think of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
John 1: 29: The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world.
I think of the Mass when we say, after the Sign of Peace:
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
The priest then says;
Behold the Lamb of God , behold Him who takes away the sins of the world, Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
And we say:
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
And you know, Jesus says the word every time and we are healed and can approach the altar and receive him in the Eucharist.
Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen
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