The Holy Martyr Pelagia
Read
Acts 5:21-33; John 6:14-27
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
When our Lord fed the five thousand people, they recognized Him as the Messiah promised through the prophets. However, their faith was incomplete. Their idea of messiahship was earthly and political; they were ready to crown him their own king and perhaps terminate the occupation of Israel by the Romans. As a result, our Lord withdrew to the hills.
Many people today see Jesus with an incomplete faith. These people recognize Him as a historical figure, a great moral teacher, even a revolutionary figure. Some see Him as one to control through prayer (give me this, give me that, give me financial certainty, etc.)—and when He does answer their request, they cast Him aside.
Today’s Gospel reading challenges us to see Jesus with eyes of true faith, of complete faith. He is the King, not of this world but of the Kingdom of God which encompasses more than this world, more than the entire cosmos. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the One who can give us our daily bread, nourishment for each day. He can even miraculously change the little we have into more to feed many others. And still, He who not only subjected Himself to the storm on the sea but controls it also gives us the food which endures to eternal life. Let us worship Him!
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