The observences of the Scribes and Pharisees which Jesus criticises in today's Gospel was based on a literal and external observation of laws and regulations. The more perfect this observation, the closer the person was to God. Jesus tells us this is not enough. What matters is not what we are seen to be doing or saying but what is going on in our heart. Of course, killing is wrong but it is the harm we wish against others in our hearts which is the real test of our virtue. Similarly, if we have hurt another in any way, we need to heal the relationship before we go to make our offering in the Temple. This is very relevant to each one of us when we take part in the Eucharist. That is why, before Communion, we pray to our Father, thus asserting our belief that, as a child of God, every single person is my brother or sister. We pray: "Forgive us our sins to the extent we forgive those who have hurt us". And we reach out to each other in a sign of peace. Only when we do all this sincerely can we share the Bread of the Eucharist with each other as a true sign of unity.