Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 25, 2025

25th January 2025 (Saturday)

Psalter: Week 2

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Acts 22:3-16

In those days: Paul said to the people, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed towards Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ “And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting!’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”

Psalm 117:1, 2 (R. Mark 16:15)

R/. Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, says the Lord.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 16:15-18

At that time: [Appearing to the Eleven] Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Saturday – 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Main Point: When God’s power is in action, nothing and nobody can resist the power and effect of His action

1. The conversion of Paul is an encouraging and challenging example for all of us in getting converted any time and anyhow. It is never late and it is never hopeless. At no moment, we can say that it is no use now; about no one, we can say that it is no hope. It is the power of God’s will and plans. All that is needed is transparency and receptivity towards God’s power and plan. Paul’s conversion was not a mere change of religion or tradition. It is a change of a whole way of life, a change of loyalty and adherence, a change from objects like laws to practice and implement, to the subject of the person of Jesus, and to testify to his mission. It is a new bonding. It is an about-turn. There are no compromises. There are no half measures. It is a change of perspective, orientation, conviction, and commitment. It is a total surrender to the person and mission of Jesus.

2. Thus, Paul’s conversion is both a captivating testimony and a tall challenge to move away constantly from being an aggressor and transgressor of the way of the Lord, to become a humble receiver, a joyful bearer, and a zealous promoter of the Lord. It is a turning away from persecutor to the persecuted; from an enemy to a friend; from slavery to law to the freedom of the spirit; from a dry observance of the law to a fertile walking by the spirit; from a misguided passion for truths to an illumined passion for the truth, that is Jesus; from false adherence to true conviction; from excessive self-sufficiency to a profound self-insufficiency; from an arrogant self-complacency to a humble self-surrender; from law to faith; from doctrines to person; from a follower of religion to a follower of a way of life; from a well-informed person to a totally transformed person; from a proponent of laws to a prophet of the person of Jesus Christ; from a deep searching frustration to a discovered satisfaction.

3. In Paul’s conversion, we are made to rediscover that true conversion is not to expect a sudden intervention from heaven, but consists in daily cultivation of grace, imitation of the values of Christ, and transformation into his person.

My Practice: O great St Paul, constantly rekindle in us the same fire of passionate love for the Lord and unreserved dedication to work for him!