First Reading (Jer 31:31-34). The prophet Jeremiah tells a shattered people that God has not forsaken them, but will one day make a new and more intimate covenant with them. This new covenant was brought about through the death of Jesus: ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood’ (Lk 22:20).

Second Reading (Heb 5:7-9). Through his obedience and suffering Christ became the source of eternal life for us. This reading stresses the fruitfulness of Jesus’ death: he became the source of eternal life for all who obey him.

Gospel (Jn 12:20-33). In his death Jesus will be glorified and this will bring life to those who follow him. Jesus uses the example of a grain of wheat dying in order to yield a harvest, thereby suggesting that his own death will bear much fruit.