The Lord Jesus has raised his own to a great hope, greater than any other could be. Listen, and rejoice in hope…. Listen, I say, and consider where our hope may be lifted. It is Christ Jesus who is speaking. It is the only-begotten Son of God, co-eternal and equal to the Father, who is speaking. It is he who for our sake became man … who is speaking. It is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 16:6) who is speaking. It is he who overcame the world (Jn 16:33) who is speaking of those for whom he won the victory. Listen, believe, hope, desire what he says: “Father,” he says, “I desire that where I am those whom you gave to me may also be with me.” (Jn 17:24). (In Ioannem Tr. 111, 1; PL 35, 1926)