In the Gospel today, Jesus is addressing the actions and attributes of the Pharisees. It begins with the Pharisees confronting Jesus about how some of His disciples weren’t observing some of the purity rituals. The point here is that external observances or rituals can’t substitute for internal conversion. Jesus is trying to emphasize that rituals must be based on commitment to God and love of God. Jesus criticizes the rigid observance of purity rituals because they can take on a life of their own. Jesus focuses on internal conversion of heart. Our Catholic rituals are not an end  in themselves, but a means to a deeper closeness to the Lord.