Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 25, 2024
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
After reading today’s gospel, the expression, “Actions speak louder than words,” immediately came to mind. This scripture challenges us not just to proclaim the gospel but, rather, to live it—to spread it through actions rooted in belief.
As a resident physician in radiation oncology, I encounter small moments every day where I see people living out the gospel as modern-day disciples.
One man, Sam, a head and neck cancer survivor, volunteers his time every week to sit in our treatment waiting rooms and offer peer support for current patients undergoing treatment, striking up conversations so patients are not alone. Derrick, a patient with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer, sold his possessions and converted the money into a college scholarship for his nephew.
Then, there is the group of nurses who contributed their own money for a gas gift card to help a patient experiencing financial stress complete his last week of radiation treatment. And Sally, the wife of a patient undergoing treatment who lost his appetite with chemotherapy. She switched to the night shift and spent her days cooking thoughtful, nutritious meals to keep her husband from losing more weight.
Linda’s community of church friends came up with a calendar to make sure there was always a friend available to transport her to six weeks of daily radiation treatments, one hour each way, to treat a tumor that was impacting her vision and ability to drive.
All these individuals share one thing in common—they are, through their actions, living the gospel and bringing Jesus’ teachings to life to love the Lord and our neighbors. I am inspired by their selfless love that I am privileged to witness.
We are challenged by today’s gospel to keep our eyes open for God’s work in our daily lives, in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments, and to be Christ to others.
Prayer
Lord God today we join with the Church throughout the world to celebrate the feast of the great apostle to the Gentiles. Called by the risen Christ, Paul no longer lived for himself or for his own justice but only for Christ and with Christ. May we who follow in his footsteps never seek to build up ourselves but always give of ourselves in building up the body of believers. Amen.
Saint of the Day

St. Paul has one of the most dramatic and famous conversion stories of all time.
Saul was born a Roman citizen in Tarsus. Saul was a highly educated Jewish man who was trained in classical disciplines such as rhetoric and in the strict observance of Mosaic law. Saul was a zealous Pharisee and had returned to Tarsus before Jesus began his public ministry in Palestine.
In fact, Saul was so zealous about the law that he persecuted Christians because they departed from it in their following of Jesus. He was in the crowd that murdered St. Stephen, the first martyr, and violently persecuted other Christians. He would drag Christians out of their homes, shackle them with chains, and throw them in prison.
He asked permission to round up all the Christians in Damascus and march them, in chains, to Jerusalem as an example. On his way to Damascus, he was surrounded by an intensely bright light from heaven and was struck to the ground. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me,” a voice called out. “Who are you, sir?” Saul cried out. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9).
Saul was converted at that moment, and the Lord instructed him to go into Damascus, where he would be told what to do. Saul got up, but realized he could not see—he had been struck blind by the vision.
He was led into the city and sheltered there until a Christian named Ananias was told by the risen Lord to find Saul and lay hands on him and heal him. Ananias had heard about this Saul and was reluctant, but followed Jesus’ instructions and laid hands on him. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he regained his sight.
Saul was baptized and changed his name to Paul, and almost immediately began preaching in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. He went on to make missionary journeys through southern Europe and Asia Minor, and converted many—especially among people who were not Jewish. Fourteen of his letters are preserved as part of the New Testament.
Paul was killed in Rome by beheading, the method of execution for Roman citizens, which is why he is often depicted with a sword (as he is with this window in the chapel of Morrissey Hall, shown below). His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, including part of the column where he was beheaded. His conversion is depicted in a stained glass window there.

St. Paul, apostle whose encounter with the persecuted Christ changed the course of your life and Christian history—pray for us!