The Scripture readings for today emphasise the Eucharist as the celebration of the solemn pact made between God and his people through the agency of Jesus Christ. In the course of the Scriptures we find that at certain intervals solemn pacts or 'covenants' are made between God and his people, beginning with Abraham (or even going back to Noah). The First Reading describes the solemn pact made between God and his people with Moses at Mt Sinai. Many animals are killed. Some of the blood is put on the altar and the rest sprinkled over the people - a sign of their solemn bonding with God and his promises. But now, in the Second Reading from Hebrews, we are reminded that we have a new priest whose Blood alone is far more effective than that of many animals. "Jesus brings a new covenant, as the mediator, so that the people¡Kmay receive what was promised." Jesus' death overrides all previous covenants and needs never to be repeated. In the Gospel, Jesus at the Last Supper sacramentally through the Bread and Wine celebrates his coming sacrificial death on the following day. At every Eucharist, we too remember and celebrate this sacrifice and, by eating and drinking together, renew our union with God through Jesus and identify with his sacred promise to us.