Whenever we do something, there must be a purpose for it.
We would want to achieve something out of it or gain something from it.
For example, we work because we get paid for it and also because we want to prove our abilities in doing our job well.
When it comes to religion, we may have these ideas of merit and rewards.
We observe and keep the precepts and regulations and we might expect to be rewarded for doing so.
Jesus warns against that in the gospel and He also pointed out that there could even be "man-made" regulations to suit our conveniences.
We must remember when it comes to God's love and mercy, those are things that we don't deserve nor can we work to gain.
We only need to be humble, obedient and faithful to God, and surrender ourselves to His love and mercy.
As king Solomon said to the Lord God at the end of the 1st reading: From heaven where your dwelling is, hear; and as your hear, forgive.
We need to acknowledge that we are sinners in need of God's forgiveness, and God will hear our prayer and grant us His blessings of love and mercy.