Love Justice & Mercy

“Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who pay your tithe of mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law – justice, mercy, good faith. These you should have practiced, without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23: 23-24)

What are the instructions, encouragement and warnings in the above passage?
There is a clear warning against the spirit of religion; the spirit of external works which is opposed to real piety. The focus of this spirit is to get the attention and admiration of the world, not the obedience of God. The warning is clear: Avoid these things.

“What would you have us do, Lord?” - Love justice and practice mercy and good faith. Go for interior devotion.

Lord, help us to understand the difference between grace and works.