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TThe prophet Jeremiah understood that the people of Israel needed a new beginning in order to keep the covenant that God had made with them on Sinai. Jeremiah called this a new covenant written on the hearts of the people. References to being brought out of Egypt and to the Law indicate that this covenant is in continuity with the original covenant at Sinai. The difference is that instead of being written on tablets of stone, this covenant will be inscribed on the heart of each person. The newness is not found in the essentials of the covenant but in the way it is kept by every person. Jeremiah had a strong belief in individuals taking responsibility for their own actions and not relying on others to tell them what to do. The psalm today picks up on the place of the heart in the individual's relationship with God when it asks God to create a pure heart.

The context of the gospel passage is the imminent death of Jesus at the time of the Passover festival in Jerusalem. Jesus tells his disciples that, like a grain of wheat only yields a harvest if it dies, he too has to die and be lifted up in order to be glorified and bring life to others.

For the Israelites the heart referred to human intelligence and will power. Jeremiah taught that these human attributes must be used in order to keep the Law given on Sinai. Reflect today on how you use your intelligence and will power. Do you take responsibility for your own actions? Is God's law etched on your heart?.

The letter to the Hebrews shows how Jesus learnt to obey God. Let us ask him to show us how to live a life of prayer and obedience to God. Read the psalm prayerfully..

Contemplate the words of John's gospel which speak about the grain of wheat which has to die. What do these words say to you today?