What have I done to alienate myself from God and others, and what have I failed to do? Take a moment to ponder these questions. Then ask yourself, What good have I done out of love for God and neighbor, and what temptations have I avoided?

For 70 years the National Bible Association has designated the week of Thanksgiving from Sunday to Sunday as “National Bible Week.” A movement started among secular business leaders in New York City during World War II, their signature event is this simple allotment of a week of encouraging scripture reading. It seems so benign and easy: Read your Bible.

“When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

I go to a lot of funerals. It is the nature of my work as a parish pastoral minister. Before the Mass begins at many of our funerals, a family member will give a eulogy about the one who has died.

The Lord rescues us, gives us rest, and heals us.

Jesus shares the life of the poor, from the cradle to the cross; he experiences hunger, thirst, and privation. Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering the kingdom.