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“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom
of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in
heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name?
Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to
them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’”
Matthew 7:21–23
Jesus’ words are shocking because they challenge the assumption
that prophesying, casting out demons, and performing mighty works
in His name guarantee entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. However,
mighty works without obedience and love are insufficient. The
passage warns against a distorted discipleship that promotes our
own will rather than relying on the interior conversion required to
do the will of the Father.
Saint Paul echoes this truth: “And if I have the gift of prophecy
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith
so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing” (1
Corinthians 13:2). Even the most extraordinary spiritual
gifts—prophecy, knowledge, and faith to move mountains—are
worthless unless they are animated by the infused virtue of
charity, the love that comes from God and enables us to act
according to His will.
Jesus’ warning is particularly relevant to those who bear
responsibility for preaching, teaching, or guiding others in the
faith. Those who work in God’s name can sometimes act according to
their own will rather than His. At times, even devout Christians
fail to be authentic instruments of God’s pure and perfect will,
mistaking their own judgments or desires for His divine
guidance.
It is essential that everyone who claims to follow Christ regularly
reflect on Jesus’ words. He did not teach this lesson as a mere
theoretical warning but because He knew that many of His followers
would need it. This passage is not meant to encourage us to judge
others within the Church, presuming to identify those who fit His
description. Rather, it is a personal exhortation meant for each of
us. Jesus preaches these words so that we might examine our own
hearts, asking whether we truly seek to do the Father’s will or
merely profess faith in name alone.
As a source of self-reflection, consider the words “Lord, Lord.” If
you use those words—if you pray and call on God as the Lord of your
life—that is a good start; but it is only a start. Many people
struggle even to reach that personal level of prayer and
attentiveness to God.
Presuming you do pray, how do you pray? Do you list for God the
many things you do for Him, expecting Him to be impressed? Do you
prophesy in God’s name, meaning you speak about Him to others? Do
you cast out demons in God’s name, meaning you combat satan and all
evil? Do you do mighty deeds in God’s name, meaning you engage in
works that reflect Christian discipleship?
If so, that is good—but based on today’s Gospel, it is not enough.
According to our Lord, some who answer “Yes” to those questions
will hear at the time of their judgment: “I never knew you. Depart
from me, you evildoers.”
Reflect today on Jesus’ challenging call to listen clearly to His
voice alone and then act in accord with His will. Doing so requires
us to set aside our own agenda and preconceived notions of what God
wants. Serving Christ is not a matter of doing Him favors for which
He will be grateful. It’s a matter of unwavering obedience by which
we do God’s will alone—nothing less, nothing more, and nothing
other. Heed Jesus’ challenge and reexamine how you serve Him.
Listen first, then act on what you hear. Doing so will guarantee
that your life is built on a solid rock foundation of the faith
that leads to the divine gift of charity.
My demanding and just Lord, flood my mind with Your Word, that I
may know Your ways. As I listen to Your voice, grant me the courage
to act on all You say, never seeking my own will but Yours alone.
Use me as You will for Your glory and make me obedient to Your
Word, that my life may be built upon the solid foundation of faith
and love. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Jesus teaches, by Jaroslav
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