Jesus is preparing his disciples for the day of his departure - when he will withdraw his physical presence from them. In preparing them for his departure, he is also preparing them for the coming gift of the Holy Spirit. It is through the work of the Spirit that we are enabled in faith to do as Jesus says: to love him and keep his commandments. We love because he first loved us, and through the love of Jesus we are always being prepared to share the love of Jesus with those around us, until Jesus shall come again.