From today’s Gospel, from St John: ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you’.

The late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said: ‘For each one of you, as for the apostles, the encounter with the divine Teacher who calls you friends may be the beginning of an extraordinary venture: that of becoming apostles among your contemporaries to lead them to live their own experience of friendship with God made man, with God who has made Himself my Friend’.

This asks for openness of heart in ourselves, and the grace of the Holy Spirit. May we grow in that openness, and be filled progressively with the Holy Spirit, who teaches us everything. May God bless you this day.