Rev 20:12
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls.
Today is the day after Thanksgiving. Some call it "Black Friday," because of all of the shopping that is done. The shopping starts literally at midnight for some and continues for 24 hours. It's the kickoff to Christmas shopping. Everyone has their list of things to buy for friends and loved ones. We have that list of people we're going to buy for, and even for those ministries that need assistance. The kids get all excited because the image of Santa Claus is all over the TV and in stores. Parents have used that old line in the Santa Claus song as a tool to keep the kids in line. "He's makin a list, checkin it twice; gonna find out who's naughty or nice."
Today's first reading comes from John's apocalyptic book of Revelation. This book is a tough one for me to discern, but certain scriptures jump off the page that can be sobering. Such is the one today. At the end of time, there will be a reckoning, an accounting of what we did and didn't do. Have we done everything we can to be the best person Jesus called us to be? Did we faithfully follow the Ten Commandments? Did we take care of one another? Did we pray without ceasing, give until it hurts, feed the hungry, visit the sick and imprisoned? Did we give our whole heart to the Lord? Remember, He's making a list and checking it twice. We all should do the same for ourselves.
