First Reading (Acts 9:1-22)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, Saul, 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 traveling 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 baptized, 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 him 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.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Mk 16:15-18)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples and said to them: “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will accompany those who believe: they will cast out demons in my name, speak in new tongues, handle serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, may the peace and grace of the Lord be with you all. Today, we gather in this sacred space, united as a community of faith, to reflect on the inspiring words of Scripture that reveal to us the way of truth and life. May our spiritual journey be illuminated by the divine light as we explore the passages from the First Reading, found in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:1-22), and from the Gospel according to Mark (Mark 16:15-18).
Before delving into the depths of these sacred texts, I would like to invite each of you to ponder on the daily experiences that challenge us, inspire us, make us question, and seek meaning. Life, at times, may seem like a labyrinth of challenges, but it is in these moments that our faith becomes the compass guiding us, the light dispelling the darkness.
Much like Saul of Tarsus, whose radical transformation we encounter in the First Reading, many of us have already lived or are still living moments of spiritual blindness. Saul, a fierce persecutor of the followers of the Way, was touched by divine grace on the road to Damascus. A celestial light enveloped him, and his physical blindness became a metaphor for the inner revelation that awaited him.
How many of us haven’t traversed dark paths guided by misguided ideas, selfishness, or ignorance? Today, we are called to reflect on those moments when, like Saul, we need God’s light to illuminate our minds and hearts. Sometimes, a radical change is needed to open ourselves to God’s designs.
Saul’s transformation was not just a shift in perspective but a profound conversion that led him to become Paul, the tireless and dedicated apostle. This story invites us to consider our own conversions, our own moments of spiritual awakening, and ask ourselves: Where is God calling us to change radically?
Saul’s narrative is not merely a story from the past but an invitation to deepen our personal relationship with the Divine. It is a story that resonates through the centuries, touching hearts that, like Saul’s, are ready to surrender to God’s transformative grace.
Simultaneously, we are challenged by the Gospel of Mark to go beyond our own transformative experiences and to share the Good News with the world. Jesus, in his final commission to the disciples, said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). These words echo in our ears today as an urgent call to proclaim the redeeming love of Christ.
We often feel inadequate, much like the disciples who initially doubted the resurrection. But Jesus, in His mercy, promised to be with us always, until the end of time (Matthew 28:20). This means we are not alone in the task of proclaiming the Gospel. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides us, giving us the words and courage needed to witness to the truth.
Brothers and sisters, let us consider Jesus’ words about the signs that will accompany those who believe: they will cast out demons, speak in new tongues, handle serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. These images may seem strange at first glance, but they are powerful metaphors that invite us to reflect on the nature of discipleship.
Casting out demons is not merely a physical act but the struggle against the forces of evil in our lives and in our world. Speaking in new tongues goes beyond linguistic barriers, reaching the ability to communicate God’s love in diverse and inclusive ways. Handling serpents symbolizes courage in the face of dangers, while drinking poison without harm highlights divine protection amid challenges.
Just as the metaphors used by Jesus, our lives should reflect the authenticity and courage of discipleship. We are called to confront the demons of injustice, indifference, and intolerance in our society. We must seek new ways to communicate the Gospel, overcoming the barriers that divide and steering clear of the venomous serpents of sin and corruption.
Now, brothers and sisters, allow me to bring these teachings to the context of our daily lives. Where do we find the demons that need to be cast out in our reality? Are they not the persistent social injustices, the inequalities we perpetuate, and the indifference that often characterizes our relationships?
Our “new tongues” may be gestures of compassion, words of encouragement, and concrete actions that promote unity and justice. And the “serpents” we face daily might be personal challenges, temptations that surround us, and the pressures of the world that seek to divert us from the path of virtue.
But, as disciples of Christ, we are called to be a light in the midst of darkness, to be salt that adds flavor to life. We are not called to live an isolated faith but to proclaim the Good News in every action, every word, and every encounter.
I invite each of you to reflect on how, in your own lives, you can cast out the demons that try to take hold. Perhaps through acts of solidarity, active participation in social projects, or seeking reconciliation in broken relationships. May the light of Christ illuminate the dark places in our hearts and in our society.
Similarly, ask yourselves: How can you speak in new tongues in your day-to-day life? Is it not through patience, understanding, and open dialogue that we can build bridges between people of different cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds? May the words we speak be like drops of honey, sweet and uplifting, building rather than destroying.
And as for the serpents we face, dear brothers and sisters, what are these temptations that surround us, threaten us, and divert us from the path of virtue? They could be the vices that imprison us, the excessive ambitions that distance us from God, or the pressures of the world that make us forget who we truly are.
In this moment, I invite you to a brief silence. Allow yourselves to reflect on these questions in your hearts. Where do you see the need to cast out demons, speak in new tongues, and face serpents in your lives?
Dear brothers and sisters, may this reflection not be just a mental exercise but a call to concrete action. As we strive to live the truths of these Scriptures, may we become living witnesses of the transformative power of the Gospel.
Like Paul, who went from persecutor to apostle, we are called to allow God’s grace to work in our lives radically. May we leave behind the garments of sin and clothe ourselves in the righteousness of Christ. May the light of the Holy Spirit dispel the darkness in our hearts, revealing the beauty of true life in Christ.
As we face the challenges of our time, let us be visible signs of God’s love. May our actions speak louder than our words, proclaiming the Good News of salvation in every moment and circumstance.
Brothers and sisters, the spiritual journey is a continuous path of conversion and witness. Today, as we gather as a community of faith, we are invited to renew our commitment to the Gospel. May this gathering not be just another celebration but a milestone in our lives, a moment when we decide to follow more closely in the footsteps of Christ.
May the words proclaimed today not be lost in the wind but resonate in our hearts as an invitation to real change. May the metaphors and images we explore help us understand the depth of the divine message, making it tangible in our daily lives.
I encourage each of you to seek guidance in prayer, strengthen your personal relationship with God, and discern how you can respond to the Lord’s call in your lives. May the action of the Holy Spirit, which transformed the life of Saul, be present in each of us, empowering us to live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God.
At this moment, before we conclude, I would like to invite you all to join in prayer. Let us lift our hearts to the Father, thanking Him for the light that guides us, for the grace that transforms us, and for the hope that sustains us.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this moment of reflection and communion. May the words we have heard today not be forgotten but engraved in our hearts as a constant reminder of your truth and love. Empower us, Lord, to live according to your teachings, to be a light in the midst of darkness and salt in a thirsty land.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon each of us, giving us the courage to cast out the demons that harass us, the wisdom to speak new languages of love and understanding, and the strength to face the venomous serpents that try to divert us from the path of virtue.
As we leave this place, may we be true missionary disciples, proclaiming the Good News in our actions, words, and testimony of life. Grant us the grace to live according to your will, confident in the promise that you will be with us always, until the end of time.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
