We are still in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has just said that He has no intention of abolishing the Law of Moses but of going beyond it. To illustrate what He means, He gives six re-interpretations of the Law to show His meaning. Today we have the first of these, related to the commandment 'Do not kill'. But Jesus goes much further. He excludes any form of violence or abuse towards another person, either in action or even in word. And He goes further still. There cannot be a disharmony between our relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. So, it is no use piously going with one's gift to the Temple (for us, our church or Mass) before we have become reconciled with the one we have hurt or who has hurt us. Anything we do - positively or negatively towards others - we do to God. That is why at the Eucharist we pray 'forgive us our sins As we forgive those who sin against us' and share a sign of peace and reconciliation with those around us. Otherwise our communion is a kind of fraud. What Jesus makes clear is that our relationship with Him is not a matter of keeping laws and rules but of maintaining loving relationships.