Paul's attachment to Jesus was the great passion of his life. His relationship with his Lord drew everything from him in terms of service and commitment. We could say of him what was said of his Master, that 'for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross despising the shame of it'. His only concern is that when he meets Jesus face to face he will have finished the work that was given him to do. The good servant looks forward to the 'well done' of his Master. At the end of his life, looking back on his mission, Paul could pray with the psalmist, 'You poured down, O God, a generous rain. When your people were starved you gave them new life. It was there [in the Church] that your people found a home, prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor'.

Today's Gospel begins the priestly prayer of Jesus at the end of His earthly mission. He has finished the work given Him by the Father. All that remains is for Him to glorify the Father by His surrender to martyrdom in love, and for the Father to glorify the Son in the resurrection. As we read this Gospel passage in the light of Acts 20 we see how closely Paul resembled his Master. Jesus thanks the Father for the gift of disciples who will continue His mission. He passed on the name 'Abba' to them, and gave them His life-giving Word to feed the starving millions of the world.