Sinfulness finds its most pervasive expression in the dichotomy between saying and doing: we profess to be Christians, we affirm our faith and our love of God, but there are times when our actions are not consonant with what we profess. Jesus expresses this doctrine in the words which begin today's Gospel reading. Salvation, entry into the Kingdom of God, is not a matter of being able to cry out "Lord, Lord" in faith or in hope. Entry into the Kingdom is a matter of doing the will of God.

Jesus goes on to imply that it is not every kind of activity, even religious activity such as prophesying or working miracles, which manifests or guarantees a proper relation with him. External actions may be fine, but more is required, namely that interior relation with Jesus which will earn his acknowledgement: "I know you."

The crowds were amazed at Jesus' teaching. Amazement, however, is not an adequate response to this teaching. What is required is a deep integration of words and actions, of faith and love. "Faith that is operative through love is what truly matters" (cf. Galatians 5:6).