It was the last meal that they would have together. It was a moment of joy, the celebration of the Jewish Passover.

They remember the hardships of slavery in Egypt and the joys of liberation by the Hebrew Legislator Moses.

The songs follow one after another in obedience to the memorial rite. The lamb and the bread without salt or yeast soaked in bitter herbs sauce are served.

They remember the blessings and protection of Yahweh. It is also a moment of farewell.

Shortly you will no longer see me, says Jesus. And like a good shepherd He calls: My children...

And He makes recommendations, saying that pain would come to His followers and those who wished to take the torch of Glad Tidings in an attempt to enlighten the Earth.

The ax is laid to the root, said the Master.

But if He talked about aches and pains, He also recited hope and consolation.

Therefore, observing the air of sadness that enveloped the Apostles, at that time, He prophesied:

Let  your heart not be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in Me. I'll prepare the place for you.

After I have gone and prepared the place, I will come back and take you to me, so that wherever I am, you will also be there.

The Shepherd announces His departure but presents the goals and confirms His return.

The time progresses and He teaches:

A new commandment I give to you: love one another as I have loved you. This is how all my disciples shall be recognized: if you have loved one another.

And He sentences:

I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

It is a solemn moment. The minutes passed by quickly, as if they wished that farewell not to last long.

But the Master of the masters has something else to say:

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his Master does. I have called you friends, because all I know from my Father I have passed to you.

I repeat to you: love one another.

And, as in a testament He externalizes His final donation:

My peace I leave with you: my peace I give you.

I do not give it to you as the world gives.

Love one another as I have loved you.

No one has greater love than that one who gives his own life for his friends.

You will be my friends, if you are friends to one another.

The evening settles in. Maybe the moon has hidden her round and silver face to wipe her own tears out.

The Lamb will be sacrificed...

*   *   *

He would return after death to attest that there is no death.

And when He comes back, He makes himself visible to that group of frightened men, as a team without leadership and He salutes:

Peace be with you!

And He would be with them for several days.

Sunny days, starry and moonlight nights.

Along the roads of Galilee and Judea, along the seashore and the lake, across the mountains where shepherds graze their sheep, and on the plains where farmers cut the wheat, everyone feels that there He may be, that He may come suddenly and say:

"Peace be with you!"

Certain of His presence. Friend, Master, and Lord: Present!

Let us not forget that.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on the Gospel of John,
chapter XIV and paragraph collected in chapter LXXII,
from the book Vida de Jesus, by Plinio Salgado, published by Voz do Oeste.  
November  22.2010.