True faith does not come from, nor is it revealed by following given signs or the laws only: rather, true faith is reflected in living the word of God and being guided by it. St Paul reminds the Galatians to live a worthy life that does not come only from the law but a life based on faith and righteousness. He continues saying: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love”. Faith only will not bring us salvation, but when faith will be put into practice in the act of love. In the Gospel Jesus reprimanded the Pharisee who invited him to dinner as well the Pharisees in general for their hypocrisy because they were more focused on cleansing rituals than what truly matters. They were interested in the strict observance of the laws more than of its meaning. Therefore, Jesus rebuked them strongly saying: “You fools!Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So, give for alms those things that are within; and see everything will be clean for you” Well, the attitude of the Pharisees perhaps is inside us, when we try to get rigid to our old ways of living, thinking, doing and judging and are unable to give more space for openness and new ways of changes in ourselves. As an English proverb says: “All that glitters is not gold”. We have to discern which is the true gold that we need to know in the word of God. Truly, Jesus is inviting us to live a meaningful life, worthy of a clean heart rooted in faith through love, to be able to read the signs of the times with prudence and wisdom. Help us, Lord, that we may live by the inner power of your grace that comes through your Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessings. Fr. Mussie