In today’s first reading, God is annoyed – really annoyed. The Lord, through Isaiah, is telling the people of that day (and us now) that He’s not interested in external show that doesn’t represent internal changes of heart and conversion that result in concern for others.
It’s as if God is saying, “Don’t give me your empty words, your ritualistic religious practices. I’m talking reality here – helping those who have been wronged and orphans and widows.”