Jesus is uncompromising in his remarks to his host. He exposes the superficiality and hypocrisy of a religion or piety that is concerned only with external observance of the law! We all fall victims of externalism and legalism in religion, i.e being solely concerned with the superficial aspects of our behaviour. Religion can be reduced to mere external observance of laws.

For Jesus, the most important is what we are within, in our innermost selves.Teresa of Avila said once: "It is not essential to think much as to love much!" So to make up for all our self-interest, and greed Jesus advises us to give whole-heartedly alms to the poor.

Jesus is absolutely faithful to the message of Truth and Simplicity in all that he does, which should also be our pre-occupation, in our daily activities. God sees the heart; more than our deeds. We are reminded in the Beatitudes: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.