The people in this week’s Gospel are quarrelling about who has, and who hasn’t, washed their hands before eating dinner.
Jesus knew that any Law must emerge from love, or else be meaningless. He was angry that the Scribes and Pharisees had manipulated exterior laws to suit themselves, “This people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me”. True religion has little to do with the observance of Laws, and has more to do with our being sensitive to the needs of the weakest and most marginalised among us. This is true Religion because, “As often as you did, or did not, do it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did, or did not, do it to me.”
Each one of us has to discern for ourselves how we can best serve and love Christ. The gospel is not a code of laws, but gives us a vision of a truly human life lived for God. Instead of being anxious about what I may do wrong, ask rather, where and how I can be a more loving and compassionate person this day.