Jeremiah 31: 31-34

This the only reference to a ‘New covenant’  in the Old Testament. It provides a description of that covenant under which God’s people will live.

 

Hebrews 5: 7-9

Jesus learned obedience to God’s will from the things he suffered.

 

John 12: 20-33

Jesus foretells his passion and explains its significance.

2 Chronicles 36: 14-16. 19-23

The people of Jerusalem brought about their exile through their repeated infidelities, until God used a pagan ruler to restore them to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.

 

Ephesians 2: 4-10

God’s generosity is shown by the gift of life, of salvation, bestowed freely on people who do not merit or deserve it.

 

John 3: 14-21

God sent Christ into the world to bring it the gift of eternal life, to be accepted or rejected through people’s free choice.

Exodus 20: 1-17

The Lord who has liberated his people offers guidance on how to remain free.

 

1 Corinthians 1: 22-25

The heart of the Gospel message is the crucified Christ – this is how God saves us.

 

John 2: 13-25

In cleansing the Temple, Jesus offers himself as the new temple, where God can be found.

Genesis 22: 1-2. 9-13. 15-18

Abraham’s love of his only son, Isaac, is tested to the utmost limit, but his faith in God does not falter and Isaac is spared from death.

 

Romans 8: 31-34

There is a link between this reading and the first: Abraham’s willingness to give up his only son foretold the gift of the only Son of God who was not spared from death.

 

Mark 9: 2-10

A glimpse into the glory of Christ as the Son of God, yet tinged with the sadness of his suffering and death as the Son of Man.

Genesis 9: 8-15

God makes a new covenant with Noah.  The rainbow is a sign of hope.

 

1 Peter 3: 18-22

Peter links the story of Noah and the flood with our baptism.

 

Mark 1: 12-15

Jesus begins his mission after forty days spent wrestling with the power of evil.