Laws are meant to be guidelines in our love and service of God and neighbour. They are not meant to become an end in themselves. The problem is presented in the Gospel today by a conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees. "Why do your disciples not wash their hands before eating?" Jesus is not criticising such precautions. What he is criticising is the disproportionate importance given to these things to the neglect of what is far more important, the love of God and the care for one's fellow human beings.

His words are directed as much towards similar people in our own communities today as towards the Pharisees of His day. The literal following of rules can be a source of terrible hatred and violence in many societies and the complete negation of true religion. We need to be very much aware of it in our own multi- ethnic, multi-cultural society.

As Jesus tells us today the source of uncleanness is not in any food or drink that comes from outside. Real uncleanness is in the heart - lust, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, maliciousness, deceit, jealousy, slanderous talk, arrogance. Washing hands does nothing to change that.