It is easy to praise God with our lips but turn from God in our hearts and deeds. Isaiah has some good counsel for us: if you want a close relationship with God, both for yourselves and your communities, then change your ways. Ease the burdens of others; avoid gossip, backbiting, and slander; don't accuse or be hard on others. What is more, give food to the hungry and comfort those who suffer and are afflicted. Only then will God truly hear your prayers. This is true and pure religion, not just what we do in Church for an hour on Sunday.

This is exactly what Jesus was doing when he ate and talked with tax collectors and sinners. People were outraged - he should only be associating with 'good' people. But Jesus insisted that these people were exactly those he came to seek out and save. Those who are 'perfect' or well have no need of a physician or healing, but those who are wounded and hurting certainly do. That is what God is all about; that is what Jesus is all about; and that is what we should be all about. Each day will bring us opportunities to put this into practice, so let us be attentive.