Here is today’s Gospel, again from St John: ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full’.

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘If to abide proceeds from love, and love from the keeping of the commandments, and the commandment is that we love one another, then the abiding in God proceeds from love towards each other. And He does not simply speak of love, but declares also the manner, “As I have loved you”. Again He shows, that His very departure was not of hatred but of love …’

May this very love transfigure our hearts and lives, that we reflect ever more truly the love of our Lord; and may God bless you this day.