Traffic lights are unequivocal signs.  Red means stop, green means go.  We get it.   Moses makes an unequivocal point in today’s first reading from Deuteronomy when he tells the Israelites to observe the commandments of God exactly as given to them with no additions or subtractions.  They are to do this, for the same reason we observe traffic lights; so they/we may live!
           
That is why Jesus speaks so sharply to the Pharisees and scribes who criticize His disciples in today’s Gospel.  The Pharisees and scribes are more concerned with cultural practices that mimic the Law of God rather than with God’s true commandments.  Jesus knows these man-made laws serve as separators and lead to death rather than life.  While the Pharisees give the external appearance of authority and holiness, their interior is governed, not by God’s law, but their desire to retain power and position.  And who suffers?  The little ones of course, the ones who desire from their very heart to be faithful to God in all things.  Jesus speaks so sharply because He wants to preserve their faith, their lives.
           
If we are honest with ourselves, none of us has to look very far to see the effect of running red lights; of mistaking cultural practices with God’s law.  Often we choose, not God’s commandments, but the straight-jacket of society’s system of rules.  We allow ourselves to be bound by what the world tells us is of value.  Deluded, we simply select the darkness and illusion of self-centeredness and the quest for personal power and position.  Worse, sometimes we do it with pharisaical self-righteousness.  How we in our own time must weary Jesus!  Still, few seemingly are concerned about the little ones.
           
Each of us has a unique contribution to God’s reign which corresponds to true life and our ultimate fulfillment.  So observe holy traffic lights! When we live sincerely and authentically in obedience to God’s commandments and will for us, we help make visible, rather than obscure, the eternal Kingdom of God.  Perhaps one place to go in prayer this week is to consider where in your life you have confused God’s commandments with the world’s laws.  Another could be to ask yourself in what relationships your actual selfish intentions are out of harmony with your words.  Bringing both with a contrite spirit to the Lord will not only heal you, it will be healing for the whole world into eternity.