First Reading
Jeremiah 31:31-34

1. “I will make a new covenant, … I will write it on their hearts.” Something new for the chosen people and for us. What kinds of things has God “written on our hearts”? Will we find the “God of Surprises” there?

2. In this reading the Lord says, “ … I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more.” Are you good at forgiving? How about forgetting? 

Second Reading
Hebrews 5:7-9

1. “In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers supplications with loud cries and tears … ” Pope Francis asks if we are capable of crying as Jesus does now. What might be the outcome of our tears?

Many cry today. And we, from this altar, from this sacrifice of Jesus—of Jesus who was not ashamed to cry—ask for the grace to cry. May today be for everyone like a Sunday of tears.

I think of so many people crying: isolated people in quarantine, lonely elderly people, hospitalized people, people in therapy, parents who see that since there is no salary they will not be able to feed their children.

Pope Francis prays for those who weep
from coronavirus loneliness or loss
March 29, 2020

2. Jesus spent his life alleviating the suffering of others. Is he finished with that, or does he continue to care for suffering people today? If so, how? Are you a caretaker or are you cared for?

Gospel
John 12:20-33

1. When Jesus thought about what was coming he said, “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?” What are some of the things that trouble you? On whom do you call when you are troubled?

2. “ … Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” How is the way of self-denial opposite to the way of egoism? Which can give life to others?