Paul in Rome (Acts 28)

Luke concludes Acts with Saint Paul in Rome. In many ways Acts 28 recapitulates some of the main themes in Acts. Paul initially preaches to the Jewish leaders, demonstrating for them that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. He convinces some but not others. As they are leaving, Paul quotes Isaiah to them:

"Gross is the heart of this people;
    they will not hear with their ears;
        they have closed their eyes,
    so they may not see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart and be converted,
    and I heal them."

Jesus came to heal us, to reconcile us to God. We cannot be healed if we reject Jesus. We cannot be reconciled to God the Father if we reject His only begotten Son. 

Paul's final words to the Jewish leaders in Rome are, "Let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” The saving grace of Jesus Christ is for all peoples. While there are those who reject Him, there are those who will listen and believe throughout the world. 

Luke reports that Paul remained in Rome for two years, from 60-61 AD, basically under house arrest. While he could not travel freely, he could receive visitors, and he preached the Good News to all who came to him. We know little for certain about Saint Paul's final years. It is unclear if he ever appeared before emperor Nero to conclude his trial. There is evidence from the writings of the Church Fathers that he traveled to Spain to preach there. He was martyred sometime between 64 AD (when the Great Fire of Rome broke out and Nero began his persecution of the Christians) and 68 AD (when Nero's reign ended). 

The ending of Acts can feel abrupt and anticlimactic. But there's a good reason for that: it's not the end of the story. It's an important book in the grand story of salvation history. It's not the end - it's only the beginning - of the age of the Church, as the mission to bring the Good News to all the world continues to this day. It's not the end of the Bible: Revelation depicts the conclusion of the story, with the Second Coming of Christ, the judgement of the world, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Until Christ comes again in glory, our mission is to follow the example of the apostles within the vocation to which God has called us, loving God with all our heart, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and making disciples of all nations. 

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day for the salvation of souls.