On Hypocrisy vs. Heart-felt Action: "Exterior expressions are the consequence of what we have decided in the heart"

The Gospel of this Sunday presents a dispute between Jesus and some Pharisees and scribes. The discussion refers to the "tradition of the elders" (Mark 7:3), which Jesus, citing the Prophet Isaiah, defines as "human precepts." And [saying] that they should never take the place of the "commandments of God." The ancient prescriptions in question included [...]