St John consoles us with the good news that Jesus prayed, not only for the disciples present at the Last Supper but also "for all those who will believe in me through their word". This doctrine is also taught in two passages in the Letter to the Hebrews: Jesus "is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him" (7:24) and Jesus ascended into heaven "so that he could appear in the actual presence of God on our behalf. In his humanity in heaven, Jesus continues his mission as our great High Priest.

This doctrine gives added meaning to the verse from the Letter to the Hebrews which we recite as our Entrance Antiphon today: "Let us come to God's presence with confidence, because we will find mercy and strength when we need it." Even if we pray alone, we do not come into God's presence alone, but rather in the company of Jesus, our Great High Priest, for "no one can come to the Father except through me" (Jn 14:6). The doctrine that Jesus is the Way is repeated in the Letter to the Ephesians (2:18): "through him we have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father."