Today, we hear again the intimate confidence that Jesus had last Holy Thursday: the Father's love for the Son is immense, tender, dear. This is how He loves us. The Father loves the Son, and Jesus tells us so. The Father loudly proclaimed it in the Jordan, when He said: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased", and later, on Mount Tabor.

Jesus has replied, "Abbà", Father! Now He reveals to us that, as the Father has loved Him, so He loves us. And what shall we do? To indeed stay by His love, to abide by His commandments, to love His Father's Will. But we, who are weak, fickle and cowards, shall we then lose His friendship forever? No, He will not allow us to be tempted well beyond our own abilities!

—Lord, if I ever fail to abide by Your commandments, let me ask for the grace of quickly coming back to You, as the prodigal son to the Father's house, through the Sacrament of Penance.