….“you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart.”

This statement seems to be the essence of our readings for today.  The readings speak to our need to be truthful, honest and sincere in our relationship with God.  In the Gospel reading it is quite clear that the message to us is to act out of sincere love for God, for the laws of God, out of our appreciation for all that God has done and will continue to do for us.  
The idea of engaging in words or actions as “showmanship” or attempting to be “following the law” or as a “Holy” person just to be viewed that way by members of our community is clearly not what God is asking of us. “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
 
The readings today encourage us to humbly appreciate the love of God and to humbly share the love of God with others.  It is far more important to grow in our relationship, our understanding, and our trust in God’s love for us than to be overly concerned about faith traditions. The readings today are a reminder to me to stay in daily communication with God, asking for guidance as I try to live my life according to God’s expectations for me.