In today’s Gospel, from St John, we see Jesus evading capture by the Jewish authorities, for His hour has not yet come. In this extract, he withdraws again: ‘He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John at first baptized, and there he remained. And many came to him; and they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there’.

As we await the ‘Hour’ of the Son of Man, who is to die and be raised again, let us prepare ourselves by prayer and by works of charity, so that we may enter upon the recalling of the mighty acts by which we were redeemed, with a pure heart. May God bless you this day.