The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus returns to this theme during the Last Supper when he affirms: "Greater love than this no one has, than to lay down one's life for one's friend" (John 15:13). Jesus manifested that greater love, a truly divine love, by laying down his life for us who are his friends.

Not every Christian is asked to suffer death for Jesus' sake, but "laying down one's life" can be a good summary of what service for the Gospel and the Kingdom means. Jesus calls us his friends, but in a sense that friendship has to be earned or at least manifested in a specific way: "You are my friends if you do all that I have commanded you."

Doing what Jesus commanded us, keeping his word (Jn14:23), means that we live according to the life-giving revelation which Jesus has given us. This revelation reaffirms the teaching of the Old Testament but often sets higher standards, as we see in Mt 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount.

Laying down one's life for Jesus can mean to be a good Catholic, not only occasionally but, with God's grace, as a matter of principle in all circumstances.