Normally there is not a close relationship between the weekday Mass readings. Today, however, is an exception. There is a happy coincidence between Paul's words in Acts and Jesus' words in John. Both of the extracts are parts of farewell addresses. Both the addresses mark the end of Paul's and Jesus' active ministries and the beginning of their Passions.

Paul more or less says to his listeners, "I have done my job which was to tell you of God's loving plan for you. Now, it's over to you. Get on with it".

Jesus, however, is less blunt. He seems to turn away from His listeners and direct His words to His Father. For a moment the disciples are privileged to overhear Son and Father communicating. Jesus too says that He has finished the task entrusted to Him. He has shown His intimate friends the way to eternal life with the Father. There is a difference though. Paul knows that from now on he himself will not be able to do much more for his listeners as they engage in the task he hands to them. Jesus, however, is confident that He can help His disciples beyond measure because He and the Father are one.