interpreted as a coming effort which is to be made in terms of establishing both of these types societies in balance and in dialogue with each other within the one group of people.

Some of the sayings of Jesus in the above passage about the law may sound cryptic. But in an earlier version of Reality Search it is pointed out that a society based on law traces back its authenticity to the laws of nature. Perhaps Jesus is reminding his hearers about this. He also reminds them that the laws of nature (viz killing, destruction of family groups and destruction of habitat between members of the same species) will continue to apply for all time. He reminds them that such laws cannot be trivialised or controlled by people e.g. when swearing by this or that. He reminds them that when breaking such laws the whole of the offender’s life into the future will be affected. It’s a simple law of cause and effect. I jump off a roof. I can expect to suffer the consequences.

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6:1-18

Heed righteousness but not with a view to be seen

6:1-18 "Be wary of your righteousness so as not to do something in front of people with a view to being seen by them. Otherwise you will not be rewarded for this by your heavenly Father. Therefore when you give alms do not sound a trumpet before yourself as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so they may be praised by people. Truly I tell you they already have their reward. But when you give alms do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your alms may be in secret. And your father, seeing you do this in secret will repay you. And when you pray do not be like the hypocrites because they love to be seen in the synagogues and on the corners of open streets standing there praying so as to be seen by others. Truly I tell you they have their reward. But when you pray enter into your private room and shutting the door pray to your Father in secret. Your Father seeing you in secret will repay you. In praying do not use empty words like the

Gentiles. They think that in doing a lot of talking they will be heard. Do not be like them. For God your Father knows what things you need before you ask him. Therefore pray like this. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. May your kingdom come. May your will be come about on earth as it is in heaven. Give us our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as indeed we forgive the debts of others. Do not bring us into temptation but rescue us from evil. For if you forgive people their trespasses your Father in heaven will forgive you also. But if you do not forgive people neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. When you fast do not be gloomy like the hypocrites. They disfigure their faces so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Truly I tell you they have had their reward. But in fasting anoint your head and wash your face so that you will not appear to others to be fasting but your father will know and your Father on seeing you do this in secret will repay you."