Gospel: Matthew 5: 27-32
Again we find Jesus continue to provide examples of how the Beatitudes are a far better way to perfection than the commandments of old. Today's example is adultery. A person might very well spend their entire life married to one person and never commit the physical act of adultery with another person. Does this make them a faithful spouse or a virtuous person? Not at all!
There are many reasons why this person never actually committed the physical act: lack of opportunity, fear of being caught or being rejected, various types of unattractiveness. But given the right set of circumstances this person probably would do so if they fantasized about it time and again. Again, the mere fact one never commits the act of adultery physically in no way makes a person a model of virtue.
However, to live the Beatitudes - being meek and pure of heart, striving for righteousness - these virtues of the inner person transform our entire being in our thoughts, words, and deeds. To possess and live these Beatitudes will in fact mean the absence of adulterous actions is a virtue, for absent also is even the desire or considered fantasy. To seek the Beatitudes - the positive way of Jesus - is the path to virtue, not the mere observance of the negative command.
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