February 16 : Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - check your desires

First Reading         :  Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20
Psalm                      : Psalm 119:1-8
Second Reading    : 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Gospel                    : Matthew 5:21-37

Today's Gospel invites us to understand the deeper meaning of religion and the difference between observing the “letter of the law” and “the spirit of the law”. It was Jesus’ teaching that it was not enough not to commit a sinful act (like murder or adultery); the only thing sufficient was never even to wish to commit a sinful act. It means that thoughts are just as important as deeds, and that it is not enough not to commit a sin; the only thing that is enough is not to wish to commit it. By Jesus’ standards a man is not a good man until he never even desires to do a forbidden thing.