For John in his gospel, the death of Jesus is not a tragedy but a glorious triumph. And that is what today's feast is about. The disciples of Jesus were devastated at the way he died. It seemed the end of everything. Only later did they realise its real meaning. During the Last Supper Jesus had said, "Love one another as I have loved you." And, a little later, "The greatest love people can show is to give their lives for their friends." And in the horror of the Crucifixion that is exactly what Jesus was doing. As the Second Reading says today, "Though the state of Jesus Christ was divine... he emptied himself to take on the condition of a slave...and even to accepting death, death by crucifixion." No wonder we speak of 'triumph'. Not even death, not even the appalling suffering of a crucifixion could prevent Jesus from giving his life in love for us. Let us say a big 'Thank you' to him and the best way to do this is to follow in his footsteps in selflessly loving those around us.