Daily Gospel Reflection for January 25, 2022: Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Colleen O'Dowd

Today's Gospel: Mark 16:15-18

On this the day we celebrate not the birth, not the death, but importantly the Conversion of St. Paul. We are reminded that we are created by Love for Love and that we are called to both holiness and mission. And sometimes there will be horses and blindness on that journey.

And Jesus wants to be sure I understand He is not messing around.

Jesus is clear about holiness and mission.

Jesus is clear about encountering Him.

Jesus is clear about conversion and baptism.

Jesus is clear about accompanying signs:

• Believers can drive out demons.
• Believers can speak new languages.
• Believers can survive threats.
• Believers can heal the sick.

I am called to holiness, and I am equipped for mission.

The harder I work – and the more open and cooperative I am in allowing God to work -- on my own holiness, the better equipped I become for mission.

The harder I work – and the more pliable and free I am in allowing God to work through me -- on mission, the more I grow in holiness.

We celebrate the great conversion – the great story of a heart breaking open – the 180-degree-turnaround that marks the beginning of Saul’s becoming Paul. This is our story too. We are challenged to consider: How did I get to where I am right now? What work is God trying to do in me right now -- and right where I am -- in my life?

Ponder:

How have I encountered Jesus? What is my conversion story? Whom have I told about Jesus?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, I desire to grow in holiness and mission. Ransom and free my heart of all attachments -- that it would break open in deeper love for You today.

Click to tweet:
This is our story too. We are challenged to consider: How did I get to where I am right now? What work is God trying to do in me right now -- and right where I am -- in my life? #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Colleen O'Dowd

Colleen O’Dowd is a parish missionary at Our Lady of Ransom in Niles, IL. She loves being Catholic; her Converse all-stars, socks, and crocs are always liturgically correct; and she is a super-saint-geek! She blogs ultra-occasionally at www.ourheartswereburningwithin.wordpress.com and can also be found @catholiccolleen on Twitter and Instagram.