First Reading (Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48). The first Christian community had been exclusively Jewish. Now comes a turning point with the reception of the first Gentiles. Cornelius was the first Gentile to receive the grace of baptism. The Reading from Acts tells us of his baptism, and tells us that God’s salvation is offered to all.

Second Reading (1 John 4:7-10). A profound statement from St John exploring the truth that God is love.

Gospel (John 17:11-19). On the night before he dies, Jesus offers us the law of perfect love: “Love one another as I have loved you.” The Jews already knew to love their neighbour as themselves. Jesus asks us to love as he has loved, and he lays down his life for those he loves. He asks us not so much to be successful, but to be fruitful in being instruments of God’s love and mercy in the world.

On this World Communications Day (6th May) Pope Francis reminds us we need to be “people who are not greedy, but ready to listen, people who make the effort to engage in sincere dialogue so that the truth can emerge; people who are attracted by goodness and take responsibility for how we use language.”