Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 / John 21:20-25
Not many people have been in captivity before.
To be in captivity, to lose freedom, and to be kept under surveillance all the time is certainly very stressful, to say the least.
Most would be resigned to that fact and wait for the day to come when they could be released. That would be a passive waiting in the state of captivity.
Others would be trying to find a way to escape, and if they do and get captured, the consequences will be drastic.
Few would turn captivity into an opportunity - an opportunity to see the best and be the best in that gloomy situation.
In the 1st reading, we heard that St. Paul was held under captivity, although it was like some kind of "house arrest".
He made the best out of the situation and he was even able to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ.
And the Lord helped St. Paul by even granting him complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone.
So no matter how depressive or gloomy our situation may be, and if we feel like "being held captive" in a commitment or duty or responsibility, let us look at that situation and see the opportunity that the Lord is presenting to us.
The devil may hinder us and try to capture us with the chains of work, duty and responsibility. But it is the Lord Jesus who frees our hearts, turns captivity into opportunity so that we can give God the glory.