John 6:15
"Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone."
When Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish, the people were amazed at this sign he performed for them and so they wanted to make him their king. Jesus rejected this worldly kingship and withdrew to the mountain alone before they could carry him off and appoint him. When I first read this gospel passage, I asked myself, "Why did Jesus withdraw? He could have become a king right then and there." The more I reflected on this, the more I remembered that Jesus is already a king, but Jesus' kingdom "is not of this world" (Jn 18:36). The reason why Jesus did not accept their offer to be a worldly king is because he is The Heavenly King. This world is passing, and he came to bring us into his everlasting kingdom that will never pass away. The multitude of people were thinking in earthly terms because Jesus fed their stomachs. Jesus wants us to be truly fed; he feeds us with his body and blood so we can become one with him as members of his mystical body. Let us praise and thank the Lord who humbly invites us into his heavenly kingdom.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Christopher Marte, Junior in Philosophy
Home parish: St. Ceceila
Did you know...
I love animals, they are fascinating
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