Last week's gospel was Jesus telling his disciples that they were to go spread the good news. Today, he continues preparing the disciples, but he makes sure they know how challenging it can be to follow him. Indeed, Jesus has flipped the expectations of the world: "the last will be first and the first will be last." Such ideas challenged society back in Jesus time, and continue to do so today. But Jesus wants his disciples, and us, know that he is with us. Indeed, as we are there for each other through difficult times, we are the hands and hugs of Jesus.