To lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (JN 15: 13)

This is the essence of our faith, and this is the core of Our Lord’s teachings: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We dream about “great love,” about fulfilling our lives and making them worthy and accomplished. We can have different vocations – to be spouses or consecrated-but the substance is the same: “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” in supporting, listening, taking care, forgiving, serving, starting, again and again, being gentle and respectful, defending and spending time together. Love has many names but the same spirit.  

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.” (Gospel Acclamation)