Scripture Readings
Jeremiah warned Israel against their idolatry and failure to respond to God’s love, breaking God’s covenant. At the time of the exile to Babylon Jeremiah proclaimed this great oracle of the “New Covenant”. This promised that God’s Law will be written on men’s hearts, giving them the power – or “grace” – to respond with love to God’s love. This new covenant will not be broken: it will last for ever.
The Letter to the Hebrews emphasises that Jesus is truly human, and lived his life showing this new covenant in practice. Jesus shared our humanity and our weaknesses and afflictions. So he sympathises patiently with us in our sinfulness and is well able, as a high priest, to intercede with God for us, and to offer sacrifice on our behalf. He prayed with such love and respect that God heard his prayer.
In the gospel of John some pagan Greeks ask their fellow Greek, Philip, to help them meet Jesus. The gospel message is now reaching out to Gentiles and this is taken by Jesus as the signal that his work is nearing its inevitable climax. Jesus’ life has shown the way to salvation, but the human Jesus is very troubled by anticipation of his coming suffering, also described by the other Gospels in the Garden of Gethsemene.
Psalm Response: A pure heart create for me, O God.
(Jer 31: 31-34; Psalm 50(51); Hebrews 5: 7-9; John 12: 20-33)
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