First reading
Jeremiah 31:31–34
I will write my Law in their hearts.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 50(51):3–4, 12–15
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Second reading
Hebrews 5:7–9
He learned to obey and he became the source of eternal salvation.
Gospel acclamation
John 12:26
If you serve me, follow me, says the Lord; and where I am, my servant will also be.
Gospel
John 12:20–33
If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.
Images from the Word
- Some Greeks
- A rich harvest
- This very reason
- My people
- Source of eternal salvation
Liturgical notes
If Communion of the Blood of Christ is carried out by communicants’ drinking from the chalice, each communicant, after receiving the Body of Christ, moves to the minister of the chalice and stands facing him. The minister says, The Blood of Christ, the communicant replies, Amen, and the minister hands over the chalice, which the communicant raises to his or her mouth.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §286
Fortunately, in our times, Communion from the chalice has been restored to the priestly people of God. At our Sunday Mass, we are gifted with the sacrifice of Christ and are made sharers in the New Covenant foreseen by Jeremiah in today’s First reading. We are invited to acknowledge our commitment to share in the cross of Christ by the life we live in his name.
‘Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength’
—entrance antiphon