“You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8)<br/><br/>
Jesus is not denying tradition passed on by ancestors, but when the rules of man overpower the commandments of God, then what is important is lost.
Washing before meals, especially for the half-travelling tribe in Israel, is important. Jesus desires that his crowd also appreciate spiritual cleanliness. That is, to fulfil the will of God our Father  is more important than to abide by external rules.<br/><br/>
Therefore, Jesus patiently explained to his crowd: “How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: ‘Do your duty to your father and your mother, and ‘Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother. In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. “ (Mark 7:9-13)<br/><br/> 
Many who do not understand about the Catholic observances find that the Catholic Church has too many rules. This is only half true. For example, if parishioners only respond passively at mass, without any involvement in heart, spirit and body, of course it will be a criticism for non-Catholics.
We may misunderstand “God’s commandment” as a limitation to our freedom. Beside “Honoring the Lord’s Day” and “Honoring our parents”, other commandments all begin with the words: Do not. (See Deuteronomy)
Jesus is the master of the New Testament: “I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35)<br/><br/>
When we no longer live for ourselves, but for ‘love’, and for ‘Christ’ then we will truly be a free man.<br/><br/>
St. Paul said: “but now you, of all people, must give all these things up: getting angry, being bad-tempered, spitefulness, abusive language and dirty talk; and never tell each other lies. You have stripped off your old behaviour with your old self, and you have put on a new self which will progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:8-10)