God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to the Hebrew people about fasting and service to the marginalised, but these words of the first reading are very applicable for us today. We need to make certain that our faith is not just words and empty actions, but that we are looking after the poor, feeding the hungry, helping the oppressed, liberating the unfree, calling for justice - these words are powerful and apply to the situation in today's world. Let us make certain that we are living the faith and following our Lord in all that we say and do.

Matthew has placed this encounter of Jesus with John's disciples right after the call of Matthew the tax collector. Again, we are faced with the question of following the law, here the requirement of fasting. Jesus does not criticise the practice of fasting, but He qualifies it by saying that His disciples will fast in the future, but not while He is present in the flesh with them. Religious practices are important but must not be placed above obedience to our Lord. We need to balance religious practices with looking after the vulnerable and needy.