Today, we wonder: what kind of people the Apostles were? In short, we might say that they were "friends" of Jesus. He chose them to remain with him and “friends” is what He called them at the Last Supper. They were, and were able to be, apostles and witnesses of Christ because they were His friends and they knew Him because of this friendship, because they were close to Him, as we can see in today’s Gospel.

They were united to Him by a bond of love, brought to life by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is who gives life. It is He who gives life to your relationship with Jesus Christ, in such a way that it becomes not only exterior: we know that Jesus existed and that He is present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist (source and summit of the bond of friendship with Jesus Christ), but He makes it become an intimate, profound and truly personal friendship which can give meaning to each one of your lives.

—"Abide in my love, and you will bear an abundance of fruit": let us listen to this voice. Christ did not only say it 2000 years ago; He is alive and saying it to you now and every day.