FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE | MEMORIAL OF SAINT DWYNWEN, RELIGIOUS | JANUARY 25TH 2026

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A

SAINTS OF THE DAY | JANUARY 25, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE

MEMORIAL OF SAINT DWYNWEN, RELIGIOUS

Direct link to the detailed history of the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle, and Saint Dwynwen | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-january-25th/

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | January 25, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-january-25-2026/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Sunday!

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle (Patron of Missionaries, Evangelists, and Converts), and commemorates Saint Dwynwen, Religious (Patron Saint of Lovers), two profound witnesses to the transforming power of God’s grace and love. Saint Paul’s dramatic conversion reminds us that Christ’s light can break through even the deepest darkness, turning division into mission and fear into courageous proclamation. Saint Dwynwen’s quiet life of prayer teaches us that wounded hearts find healing and true love when entrusted to God. As we reflect on today’s Scripture readings this Sunday, which speak of light overcoming darkness, unity within the Body of Christ, and the call to follow Jesus without delay, we are invited to allow God’s grace to convert our hearts, heal our relationships, and draw us into deeper communion with Him. May today’s reflection inspire us to walk in the light of Christ, to seek unity, and to respond generously to His call. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER: We join our prayers to the prayers of others for the safety and well-being of all those experiencing major winter storm across Texas and other parts of the United States and the world.

Prayer to Saint Medard: Patron Saint of Bad Storms

Saint Medard, Patron Saint for protection against bad storms, we ask you to intercede for us during the storms of our lives as well as the storms in nature. Protect our families and our homes. We pray for assistance for the victims of snowstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, especially for the inclement weather we are currently experiencing. Loving God, send in more helpers, and multiply resources and supplies for the aid of those in need. You calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee; deliver us from the storms that are raging around us now. Saint Medard, pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Third Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time | January 25, 2026
Reading 1: Isaiah 8:23—9:3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17
Gospel: Matthew 4:12–23

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 4:12–23

“From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

“When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

When Jesus hears of John’s arrest, He withdraws to Galilee and begins His public ministry in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali lands once marked by hardship, obscurity, and spiritual darkness. This deliberate choice fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah: the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Christ does not begin His mission in centers of power or prestige, but among those dwelling in the shadows. In doing so, He reveals a God who seeks out the forgotten, the wounded, and the searching, bringing hope where despair once reigned. Jesus’ first proclamation is simple yet demanding: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Repentance here is not merely sorrow for sin, but a radical turning of the heart, a reorientation of one’s life toward God. The nearness of God’s kingdom calls for an immediate response. God is no longer distant; His saving presence has entered human history through Christ. To repent is to allow His light to reshape our priorities, decisions, and direction.

As Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee, He calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, ordinary fishermen immersed in the routines of daily labor. His invitation is direct: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Their response is striking in its immediacy. They leave their nets, their boats, and even family ties to follow Him. This moment reveals the cost and beauty of discipleship: responding to Christ requires trust, courage, and a willingness to let go of what is familiar so as to receive a greater mission. Following Jesus is not an abstract idea, but a concrete decision that transforms one’s life.

The First Reading from the Book of Isaiah sets the tone for this Gospel by announcing God’s victory over darkness and oppression. The imagery of light, joy, and broken yokes speaks of liberation and renewal. What once burdened the people is shattered by God’s intervention. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in Christ, who brings not only spiritual illumination but freedom from sin, fear, and hopelessness. His light does not merely expose darkness; it overcomes it.

The Responsorial Psalm becomes the prayerful response of a trusting heart: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?” In a world filled with uncertainty and threats, the psalmist anchors hope in God alone. To dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty is to live from a place of confidence rather than fear. Waiting for the Lord with courage becomes an act of faith, especially when the path forward is unclear.

In the Second Reading, Saint Paul addresses divisions within the Corinthian community, urging unity in Christ. Rivalries and factions, he reminds them, distort the Gospel and empty the cross of its meaning. Christ is not divided, and neither should His body be. True discipleship calls us to humility, communion, and a shared focus on Christ rather than personalities or preferences. The Gospel we proclaim must always remain centered on the saving power of the cross.

Together, today’s readings invite us to step out of darkness into Christ’s light, to listen attentively to His call, and to follow Him with undivided hearts. They challenge us to examine what nets we may still be clinging to habits, fears, attachments, or divisions that prevent us from fully embracing our calling. The Kingdom of God is near, and Christ continues to walk along the shores of our lives, inviting us to follow Him.

As we reflect today, let us ask ourselves: Where is Christ calling me to repentance and renewal? What must I leave behind in order to follow Him more freely? Am I allowing His light to guide my choices and heal divisions within my heart and community? May this Sunday strengthen our faith and renew our commitment to walk in the light of the Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the world, You call us out of darkness into the radiance of Your Kingdom. Grant us the grace to repent sincerely, to follow You courageously, and to live as instruments of unity and hope. Help us to trust Your call, let go of what holds us back, and proclaim Your Gospel through lives transformed by Your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | JANUARY 25TH:

Link to Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | January 25th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

Direct link to the detailed history of the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul of Saint Paul, Apostle, and Saint Dwynwen | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-january-25th/

THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE: The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul commemorates the extraordinary transformation of Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor of Christians who was radically changed by an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. Educated in the Law and driven by intense conviction, Saul sought to destroy the early Church, yet God met him with mercy, not condemnation. Struck down by a heavenly light and called by name, he was blinded, humbled, and ultimately baptized, becoming Paul—an apostle chosen to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. His conversion reveals the power of God’s grace to transform hearts and reminds us that no life is beyond redemption when surrendered to Christ.

PRAYER: Lord God, You transformed Saint Paul from a persecutor into a faithful apostle. Through his intercession, convert our hearts, strengthen our faith, and make us bold witnesses of Your truth and mercy in the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT DWYNWEN, RELIGIOUS: Saint Dwynwen was a 5th-century Welsh princess who chose a life of prayer and consecration to God after experiencing deep sorrow in love. Turning to God in her pain, she prayed not only for her own healing but also for the happiness of all true lovers. God granted her peace, and she devoted her life to His service, founding a religious community and becoming a source of comfort and hope for the brokenhearted. Her life teaches that love finds its true meaning when entrusted to God and purified by faith, sacrifice, and trust in His will.

PRAYER: O Blessed Saint Dwynwen, comfort those who suffer in love and guide all hearts seeking true and faithful relationships. Intercede for healing, patience, and trust in God’s perfect plan. Help us to love rightly and to rest in His wisdom and mercy. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Paul, Apostle, and Saint Dwynwen — pray for us. 🙏🏽

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY: For prayer with the Word of God. Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth, a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12538

PRAYER INTENTION FOR THE DAY: FOR THE CLERGY, MISSIONARIES, EVANGELISTS AND ALL THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL

Through the intercession of Saint Paul the Apostle, let us pray for the conversion of hearts and the renewal of love rooted in Christ. As we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, we ask God to transform our hearts as He transformed Paul’s, that we may boldly proclaim the Gospel through our words and actions, and faithfully respond to His call in our daily lives. We pray especially for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and for all who share in the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. We lift up Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Missionaries, Evangelists, and all entrusted with the ministry of the Word, that they may be strengthened in faith, courage, and humility. May the same grace that turned Saint Paul into a fearless witness of Christ renew their zeal, guide their teaching, and bear abundant fruit in the hearts of those they serve. Amen 🙏🏾

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
We pray for the repose of the gentle souls of our loved ones and souls of all the faithful departed. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Paul, Apostle, and Saint Dwynwen ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/