Love and justice are always expressed in deeds. Words can be hollow and cheap, and this is what angered Isaiah. People spoke eloquently about following God's laws but acted with hypocrisy, injustice, and lack of compassion.

They thought that because they observed the rules and fasted, they were pleasing God. But God told them what He wanted: justice, compassion, and mercy. Lighten the burdens of others, take care of the weak and vulnerable, and help people have happy lives. This and only this is pleasing to God, for this is true religion.

Some complained that the disciples of Jesus did not fast. But how could they fast when the Lord was present in their midst? He then used an image of wineskins. Pouring new wine into old wineskins is useless, for they will burst and waste the wine. Better to put new wine into new wineskins. This symbolises religious and spiritual teaching - old ways of thought might not bear the burden of the new. We need fresh minds and new ways of thinking to be taught by the Lord - an inner cleansing and renewal.