Covenant
A solemn, binding agreement between God and his people, forming the central structure of the Bible's narrative — from God's covenant with Noah and Abraham through Moses to the New Covenant sealed in Christ.
A Recurring Biblical Pattern
A covenant is more than an ordinary agreement or contract — it establishes a relationship, typically sealed with a sign (the rainbow with Noah, circumcision with Abraham, the Law and the Ark with Moses) and carrying obligations on both sides. Scripture presents a sequence of covenants building on one another: with Noah after the flood, with Abraham promising descendants and land, and with Moses at Sinai establishing Israel as God's people bound to the Law.
The New Covenant
Christians understand Jesus' death and resurrection as establishing a New Covenant, foretold by the prophet Jeremiah and explicitly invoked by Jesus at the Last Supper over the cup of wine ("This is my blood of the new covenant") — the words repeated by the priest at every Mass during the consecration. Rather than replacing the earlier covenants as though they were mistaken, Catholic teaching holds that the New Covenant fulfills and brings them to completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Old and New Covenants?
The Old Covenant refers to God's agreements with Israel through figures like Noah, Abraham, and Moses; the New Covenant, established through Christ's death and resurrection, is understood by Christians to fulfill and complete rather than discard the earlier covenants.
Where does Jesus mention the New Covenant?
At the Last Supper, over the cup of wine — "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many" — words echoed by the priest at every Mass during the Eucharistic Prayer.