In today's first reading, Acts 28: 16-20, 30-31, St. Paul appeals to the leaders of the Jews in Rome, where he was sent as a prisoner. He says to the leaders: " My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem." Paul then explains that they found no reason to put him to death and that is why he asked to see them. However, the leaders of the Jews in Rome did not free Paul! He remained a prisoner "for two full years" and "received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about Jesus Christ,"
What would you or I do if, like Paul, our request was denied? Would we continue the mission Jesus asked of us, namely to live the Gospel, build God's Kingdom and teach about Jesus by words or actions? Or would we pout, hold a grudge and do nothing out of anger? Would we let our egos edge God out?
