There is a beautiful parallel between the two readings today. In the Gospel Jesus is bidding farewell to His disciples at the Last Supper. Chapter 17 is a prayer that Jesus makes for His own disciples who are with Him at the Supper but also for all those followers (you and me) who come much later. Jesus is on the eve of His Passion, when He will reveal the greatest love that one person can show to others - giving His own life for them. In His prayer He says to His Father: "Eternal life is this, to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." This 'knowing' is not just something of the mind; it is the knowledge that only two people who are deeply committed to each other can experience.

In the reading from Acts, Paul is making an emotional farewell to his much-loved Christians at Ephesus to whom he had brought the Gospel. He is now under arrest and on his way for trial in Jerusalem. This will not happen; instead he will go to Rome as a prisoner and die there. But it is the last time he and they will set eyes on each other. And Paul has no illusions as to what awaits him. But, like his Master, he is ready: "Life for me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me - and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God's grace." Would that we could say the same of ourselves! May Jesus and Paul inspire us to such a selfless love for others!