Western culture and Christianity tend to think about faith as an intellectual belief. But faith, from the perspective of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament, cannot be divorced from action. Specifically, action that reveals God’s character to the world--as we find in the example of Jesus.
That’s what the words of Isaiah are addressing in today’s reading.
God doesn’t really care about the religious symbols, the rituals, the church attendance, the committee meetings if our lives aren’t reflecting the love of God, which manifests itself in justice.
We’re called to take the side of those who are marginalized and vulnerable, and not only give them aid but advocate with and for them. This requires us to use our voices.