Bridging the Say-Do Gap!

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Is 26:1-6; Mt 7: 21, 24-27

Today’s Gospel invites us to bridge the gap between saying and doing. 

Psychologists explain the dilemma of the ‘say-do’ gap. The human brain is divided into the subconscious brain, which takes quick, impulsive actions, and the conscious brain, which makes calculated decisions. Oftentimes, what we say is driven by the conscious brain, and what we do is driven by the subconscious brain. 

Here is the most interesting part: ‘The subconscious brain takes 95% of all human decisions,’ and this is why we find or struggle with the ‘say-do’ gap.

For instance, a study reports that 94% of Gen-Zs and 97% of millennials want to master soft skills to grow in their careers. But many of them hesitate to buy a book that would cost only INR 300, yet would readily spend INR 500 on a coffee.

Coming to the Gospel, we find Jesus inviting us to bridge this gap, saying that ‘Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.’ 

By confronting the very human tendency, Jesus invites us to break the familiar patterns of saying one thing and doing another. In other words, Jesus wants us to examine the foundations on which our lives rest. 

The sandy foundations do not last long, and therefore, they are not desirable. We must strive for rocky foundations by making sure that our words and deeds are in perfect harmony, serving as a witness to our moral integrity. 

Nevertheless, the journey from empty speech to concrete action is rigorous and demanding. The movement from speaking our faith to living our faith is the hardest journey because it requires a ‘boring’ consistency, though not pure perfection. 

Let us pray that we may preach more through our lives by following Jesus’ words.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar