Collect
O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, draw us, we pray, nearer to you through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world. Through our Lord. . .

FIRST READING       
Rise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of Jesus.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 22:3-16)

In those days: Paul said to the people [in Jerusalem], “I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all 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 bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute 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 hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I 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 when 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 in 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 Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”’

The word of the Lord.

Or the following:        

FIRST READING      
‘You will be told what you are to do.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:1-22)

In those days: Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptised, and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard hint were amazed, and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And he has come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests.” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  (Psalm117:1.2(R Mark16:15)
R. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Or: Alleluia.

O praise the Lord, all you nations!
Acclaim him, all you peoples! R.

For his merciful love has prevailed over us;
and the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. R.

ALLELUIA John 15:16
Alleluia. I chose you from the world that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, says the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 16:15- 18)

At that time: [Appearing to the Eleven,] Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who 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, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul that we celebrate today teaches us that there is no one God cannot us as an instrument for spreading the kingdom of God on earth. It also teaches us that no one can be considered as written-off as long as he or she is still alive because a sinner can change and become a saint. Above all, it shows the power of God at work in each one of us. Saint Paul’s conversion shows this power in his life because out of a persecutor God made a preacher of Christ and teacher to the nations. Hence, Saint Paul continually expresses gratitude to God for this wonderful grace and keeps praying for final perseverance lest having preached to others, he ends up a castaway. May the constant intercession of Saint Paul obtain for us daily true conversion from our old ways and thereby conform to the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

FIRST READING
“He entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking his own blood. ”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 9:2-3.11- 14)

Brethren: A tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of offering; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not  of this creation)  he entered once for all into the Holy place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his  own blood,  thus  securing  an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood  of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself  with- out blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 47 :2-3.6-7.5-9 (R. 6)
R/. God goes up with shouts of joy,
The Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

All peoples, clap your hands.
Cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
the great king over  all the earth.  R.

God goes up with shouts of joy.
The Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God; sing praise!
Sing praise to our king; sing praise! R.

God is king of all the earth,
Sing praise with all your skill.
God reigns over the nations
God sits upon his holy throne

ALLELUIA   Acts 16:14b
Alleluia Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may give heed to the words of your Son. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“They said, ’He is beside himself. ”’
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3 :20-21)

In that time: Jesus went home with his disciples; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. And when his friends heard it, they went out to seize him, for they said, “He is beside himself.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

We are reminded that Jesus is the One who represents the Holy of Holies.  This is brought out by the tearing of the curtain covering the Holy Holies in the sanctuary at shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross.  The blood of Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice besides animals’ blood, which cleanses on the external. Jesus offers His blood in our Eucharistic sacrifice, cleansing the inner spirit of man.  He continues to be for us that Minister who is ever working in our lives, having no time for Himself. We are to make ourselves available for Jesus to purify us truly and completely, so as to lead us into the highest sanctuary of God.

FIRST READING
“The covenant he mediates is better. ”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrew 8:6-13)

Brethren: As it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second. For he finds fault with them when he says: “The days will come, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord. ’ for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful towards their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM    Psalm 85:5 and  10.11-12.13- 14 (R. 11a)
R/.  Merciful love and faithfulness have met.

Let us see, O LORD, your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
His salvation is near for those who fear him,
and his glory will dwell in our land.    R.

Merciful love and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have kissed.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth,
and justice look down from heaven. R.

R/.  Merciful love and faithfulness have met.

Also the LORD will bestow his bounty,
and our earth shall yield its increase.
Justice will march before him,
and guide his steps on the way R.
 

ALLELUIA  2 Corinthians 5:19
Alleluia. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Alleluia.

GOSPEL               
He called to him those whom he desired to be with him.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:13-19)

At that time: Jesus went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons: Simon whom he surnamed Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, whom he surnamed Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

In the ministry of Christ, He is the Mediator between us and God.  He is the one who corrected the deficiency of the old sacrifice that was obsolete. Jesus, who minister to us in this new era of our worship, has changed the old order that was not efficient. He gives us a very promising and efficient yet effective worship.  In our worship, He does everything well in us by living in our conscience and mind.  He is the reminder of what is good in us, who leads us to a life of perfection.  Let us allow His grace to enlighten our spirit, reminding us of what is true and good and leading us to effective worship of God.

FIRST READING
He offered sacrifices when he offered up himself.
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 7:25 – 8:6)

Brethren: Jesus is able for all time to save those who draw  near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIA PSALM    Psalm 40:7-8a.8b-9.10.17 (R. see 8a.9a)
R. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,
but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Then I said, “See, I have come.” R.

In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:
“I delight to do your will, O my God;
your instruction lies deep within me.” R.

R. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed;
you know it, O Lord. R.

O let there be rejoicing and gladness
for all who seek you.
Let them ever say, “The Lord is great,”
who long for your salvation. R.

ALLELUIA  2 Timothy 1: 10
Alleluia. Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Alleluia.

GOSPEL         
“The unclean spirits cried out, ‘You are the Son of God. ’And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:7-12)

At that time:  Jesus  withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and  a great multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyre and Sidon a great multitude, hearing all that he did, came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him; for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

The Gospel of the Lord

Today’s Reflection

Jesus leaves the synagogue to meet the common people who have need of him. The “great number of people” who followed him came from the pagan nations. Jesus offered himself to the chosen people, but it was the pagans who accepted him. Where do you belong? I will accept him too because he is all that I need. He heals my sickness and prevents the devil from taking hold of me, more importantly, he laid down his life that I might be saved.

FIRST READING
Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2:1-11)

Brethren: if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affections and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is  above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Isaiah 12:2-3.4bcde.5-6 (R. 1de)
R. Your anger turned away and you comforted me.
    “Behold, God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. R.

“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the nations,
proclaim that his name is exalted.” R.

“Sing praises to the Lord,  for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” R.

ALLELUIA  2 Corinthians 5: 19
Alleluia. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Alleluia

GOSPEL               
He sells all that he has and buys that field.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 13:44-46)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

In the First Reading of today, we are taught that humility exalts a person while pride humiliates a person. Hence, God exalted Jesus above all else because of his humility and obedience. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us that the ultimate goal is the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, everything we do should be geared towards attaining this heavenly kingdom. Today, as we celebrate the feast of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi who humbles himself and sought God through his austere life and mortification to attain the heavenly kingdom and the crown of glory, may his intercession make us humble Christians who sincerely and genuinely desire the kingdom of God.

FIRST READING      
We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 6:10-20)

Brethren: God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realising the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Psalm 111: 1bc-2.4-5.9 and 10c (R. 5b)
R. The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.
Or: Alleluia.

I will praise the Lord with all my heart,
in the meeting of the just and the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. R.

He has given us a memorial of his wonders.
The Lord is gracious and merciful.
He gives food to those who fear him;
keeps his covenant ever in mind. R.

R. The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.
Or: Alleluia.

He has sent redemption to his people,
and established his covenant forever.
Holy his name, to be feared.
His praise endures forever! R.

ALLELUIA Ephesians 1:17-18
Alleluia. May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we might know what is the hope to which he has called us. Alleluia.

GOSPEL        
“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:23-28)

It happened that one sabbath Jesus was going through the grain-fields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Today’s Reflection:

In God, nothing about us is forgotten, except our sins, through His mercy.  This is why the Book of Hebrews tells us that our good efforts and deeds can never be forgotten.  Our every good deed for God and His Church will be repaid. This is how God repaid Abraham, fulfilling the promises He had made him.  It is not our past good deeds that gives our present blessings but the good deeds we have continued to do in perseverance. The good deeds of David that were sustained gave him and his followers the privilege to eat the meal of the High Priests.  God can waive laws in order to see us saved. We in turn must not be inhumanly strict.

FIRST READING      
“Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, ”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 5 : 1- 10)

Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honour upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers‘ and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him  who  was  able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM    Psalm 110: 1.2.3.4 (R. 4cd)
R/. You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The Lord’s revelation to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your foes your footstool.” R.

The Lord will send from Sion 
your scepter of power: rule in the midst of your foes. R.

R. You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

With you is princely rule
on the day of your power.
In holy splendour, from the womb
before the dawn, I have begotten you. R.

The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change:
“You are a priest forever, 
in the line of Melchizedek.” R.

ALLELUIA   Hebrews 4: 12
Alleluia. The word of the Lord is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“The bridegroom is with them.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:18-22)

At that time: John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. No one sews a piece of un-shrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The first reading of today teaches us that obedience to God’s word brings about acceptance but disobedience brings about rejection. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that the presence of the bridegroom (Jesus) is a cause for rejoicing and celebration. However, when the Lord has ascended and the Church, experiencing the descent of the Holy Spirit and carrying out its mandatory missionary work, will of course need to fast for the graces needed for the tasks ahead. We should therefore pray and fast as Christians to be obedient to God’s word always.