The disciples of John the Baptist want to know why Jesus' disciples do not fast. Jesus replies that fasting is a sign of penance and mourning and so is not appropriate while they are with the 'Bridegroom' - Jesus himself. However, elsewhere Jesus gives a further answer, namely, that the disciples of John are speaking from an Old Testament mentality where holiness is measured by meticulous observation of the Mosaic Law. Jesus has another very different standard: his disciples are judged by the measure of love they show to their brothers and sisters. And that is spelt out very clearly in the reading from Isaiah: "Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me* to let the oppressed go free, break every yoke, share your bread with the hungry and shelter the homeless poor, clothe the person you see naked." When we behave like that our "light will shine like the dawn* [our] integrity will go before [us]". Jesus put it another way: "As often as you showed compassion to these, the very least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to Me." Our programme for Lent could not be clearer.