FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL Lectionary #519
In celebration of the Pauline Year, the Masses on January 25 in 2009 may use the prayers and readings for the Conversion of St. Paul  instead of those for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (this is the way the Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship Secretariat is interpreting the Roman document). Since there are only two readings for this feast plus the psalm (though there is a choice between two texts from Acts for the first reading) the second reading from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time may be used at this Mass, to bring the celebration up to the usual complement of three readings plus the psalm. It is primarily Paul’s preaching beyond the confines of the Jewish community that made it possible for the Church to fulfill Christ’s command to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.

Acts 22:3–16 or Acts 9:1–22. Either choice tells the story of Paul’s conversion. The first choice tells it as a narrative from Paul himself, while the second choice tells the story objectively. Paul’s version, in which he admits that “I persecuted this Way to death” is perhaps more powerful because it is personal.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (116) 117
This hymn is the shortest psalm in the Psalter. Recognition of God’s steadfast fidelity and kindness to Israel will bring the nations to worship the one God.

Go Out and Tell (Ash)  JS 260
Go Out to All the World (Alstott)  JS 93
Go Out to All the World (Guimont)  GC2 985
Go Out to All the World (Haas) GC 112
Holy Is God (Hughes)  WOR 64
Holy Is God (Joncas)  GC 111
Vayan por el Mundo Entero (Montgomery)  FYC 255

1 Corinthians 7:29-31. (This second reading is the second reading for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.) Paul is exhorting the Corinthians to keep focused on the return of Jesus and to act accordingly. Though his words may have a different meaning for us, who do not expect an imminent return of the Lord, the message they teach is still worth hearing: Stay focused on what is important because "the world in its present form is passing away."
       
Mark 16:15-18. Traditionally called the “longer ending” to Mark’s Gospel (and accepted as the inspired conclusion to this Gospel, though other endings appear in some manuscripts), this text includes the “great commandment” to preach the Gospel “to every creature,” and it lists some miraculous signs that will accompany this preaching. Some people have made much of these signs, but they may be understood as symbols of the way that God will protect Christ’s followers from any harm and will make their lives a healing presence to all they meet.

Songs for the Liturgy

*A Follower of Christ (G)  LMGM 117          
Amazing Grace (1)  WOR 583/CBW 480/GP 615/LMGM 173/WC 649/MI‑BB/RS 737/GC 612/GC2 586/JS 713/PMB 323/WS/SS
As a Fire Is Meant for Burning (G)  GC 663/GC2 643/RS 779
Be Not Afraid (1)  JS 706/GP 602/CBW 481/LMGM 123/MI‑BB/RS 734/GC 608/GC2 596/PMB 446/WC 823/WS
Bring Forth the Kingdom (G)  RS 772/GC 658/GC2 640/SS
By Name I Have Called You (G)  GP 582
Christ Is the World’s Light (C)   WOR 543
Christ, the Word before Creation (G) WC 714/SS
Disciple's Song (G)  CBW 505
For the Life of the World (G)  GC 801/GC2 792
Glory and Praise to Our God, v 3 (1,Ps)  JS 596/GP 671/MI‑BB/RS 696/GC 522/GC2 537/WC 885/WS
God Has Chosen Me (2,G)  JS 831/MI‑BB/GC 682/GC2 669/GP 546
God Has Spoken by His Prophets (1,G)  WOR 516/RS 654/JS 678/PMB 419/WC 744
God It Was (G)  GC 701/RS 818
*I Am the Light of the World (C)   GP 658/JS 664/GC 510/MI-BB
I Have Been Anointed (G)   PMB 395/WC 763/WS
I Say, "Yes," Lord/Digo, "Sí," Señor (G)  RS 722/GC 597/GC2 581
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (G)  WOR 510/RS 651/GC 507/GC2 513/PMB 404/WC 767/WS/SS
I Will Be with You (1,G)  GC 455/RS 603
Journeysong (G)  GP 581/JS 759
Lord Jesus, We Must Know You (G)  CBW 517
*Lord, When You Came/Pescador de Hombres (G)  JS 763/MI‑BB/LMGM 116/RS 817/GC 696/GC2 678/WC 759/GP 580/WS
Lord, You Give the Great Commission (G)  WOR 470/RS 607/GC 456/GC2 466/CBW 691/WC 738/JS 452/MI‑BB/GP 401/PMB 382/WS/SS
Open Wide the Doors to Christ (G)   PMB 356/WC 714/WS
Servant Song -- McGargill (Ps,G)  MI‑BB/JS 837/GP 550
Sing the Kingdom (1,G)   WC 858/WS
Song of Good News (1,G)  WC 746/WS
Sow the Word (1,G)  GC 516
Speak Now, O Lord (G)  WC 747
Take, O Take Me as I Am (G)   GC2 692/WC 774/WS/SS
Take the Word of God with You (G)  JS 838/MI‑BB/GP 543
Tell It! Tell It Out with Gladness (G)   GC2 518
The Kingdom of God (1,G)  WOR 615/RS 775/GC 655/GC2 639/PMB 511/WC 926
The Spirit of God (G)  WC 761/GC 458/PMB 399/WS
The Summons (G)  RS 811/GC 700/GC2 687/WC 776/WS/MI-BB/SS
The Voice of God (G)  WOR 358/CBW 433
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (1)  WOR 595, 596/MI‑BB/RS 742/GC 626/GC2 603/CBW 443/WC 650/JS 748/GP 639/PMB 322/WS/SS
We Are Many Parts, v 1 (1,G)  MI‑BB/RS 840/GC 733/GC2 727/WC 752/WS/SS
*Walk in My Ways (G)   PSL 103/SS
Where He Leads Me (G)  LMGM 120
*You Call to Us, Lord Jesus (G)   SS
You Have Anointed Me (1,G)  RS 795/GC 676/GC2 662/GP 555
*You Walk Along Our Shoreline (G)   RS 807/GC2 679/HG 35/PMB 394/WC 758/WS/SS
Your Word Went Forth (1,G)  RS 655