Were I to leave this earth today, and were you to ask me for a final word about what our Ideal is, I would have to say, certain that it would be understood in its deepest sense: “Be a family.”

Are some among you suffering from spiritual or moral trials? Be understanding to them, as a mother would, and even more. Enlighten them through your words and through your example. Do not allow them to lack the warmth of a family, but rather increase it.

Are any among you in physical pain? May they be our preferred brothers and sisters. Suffer with them. Try to understand their pain completely. Share with them the fruits of your apostolic activities so that they know that, more than anyone else, they have contributed to them.

Are any among you approaching their final moments of life? Imagine you are in their place, and do for them what you would want done for you, until their very last breath.

Are any of you rejoicing because of an achievement, or for any other reason?

Rejoice with them, that their consolation may not fade nor their hearts close, so that their joy may belong to everyone.

Are some moving to another place?

Do not let them leave without filling their hearts with a single inheritance: the sense of a family, so that they may take it with them wherever they go.

Never place any kind of activity, whether spiritual or apostolic, before the spirit of being a family with the brothers or sisters with whom you are living.

Wherever you go out to bring Christ’s ideal, to spread this immense family of the Work of Mary, you will do no better than to try to create the spirit of a family with discretion and prudence, but with solid conviction. It is a humble spirit; it wishes the best for everyone; it is not proud … in a few words, it is true, total charity.

So were I to leave this world today, I would let Jesus in me repeat to you: “Love one another … so that all may be one.”

Published in Living City (May/June 2008), the Focolare Movement's monthly magazine of religion, dialogue and culture