In Revelation 20:12 we hear: “I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls.”
We are all destined to stand before the throne. When that scroll is opened, revealing what is written about me, what will it say? How will I be judged? What will be my eternal destiny?
The opening of the scroll will be like peering through a microscope and viewing the minute details one’s life, God’s greatest gift to all of us. Through that microscope comes the evaluation of how, throughout our lifespan, we responded to the Call to Discipleship received in the Sacrament of Baptism, and further, how we chose to carry it out in action when we were sent forth through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Stewardship, or discipleship in action, requires the surrender of ourselves through grace and choice to Jesus Christ: “Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves.” (Stewardship – A Disciple’s Response)
So, the answer to “What will it say?” is simply this: How am I living out my precious God-given gift of life, reflecting generous and sacrificial gratitude, therefore, in committed action?
Am I recognizing that:
- “Disciples of Jesus Christ are stewards of the Church because stewardship is the personal responsibility of each one of the baptized” (Stewardship – A Disciple’s Response)
- Committed deeds in action, rather than only in words, is what matters most.
- Committed action is the duty of a Christian steward.
- The conversion of the heart and mind is vital to serving the mission of my parish, my diocese and the wider universal Church.
- I am to be a good, life-long and accountable steward of my God-given varied grace and all encompassing giftedness.
- Sharing my God-given grace is my participation in the life of God.
- Stewardship is a way of life that requires a life-long conversion process.
- My actions must reflect a commitment to charity in my living out the teachings of the Beatitudes. (Mt 5:1-12)
- I have, in committed action, sought to live out the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.
So, in recognition of that eventual standing before the throne and witnessing the scroll — the ”Book of Life” — being opened, what will it say about how I lived my life in committed action? And, most importantly, will it be adequate enough to assure my entrance to eternal life in Heaven?
The practice of stewardship as a life-long commitment, in action, will serve one well when the book of life is opened on judgment day.
