A famous saying is that nothing in life is guaranteed except death and taxes. Giving this some thought, I remembered there are many warranties on some tools, cookware, and tires. Zippo lighters and Craftsman’s tools came with lifetime promises to repair or replace their items. Today’s Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 1, gives us another sure thing, eternal life – or not! This is a great psalm to be forever in our minds and hearts.

God promises those who follow his rules and avoid the wicked will be rewarded with eternal life. The psalm clearly identifies three things a blessed person does not do and two things that a holy person does do. It’s up to us, it’s our choice. The blessed do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, do not join with sinners in their transgressions, and do not sit in the seats of uncivil or scornful. Instead, that person rejoices in following the laws of God. The holy man finds his happiness and his guidance in the knowledge of the Lord. Secondly, the blessed meditates on God’s law day and night.

The Lord promises that if we succeed in avoiding the wrong things and complying with the positive ways, we will be like a tree planted near running water. We will grow and thrive and receive the blessings that come from God. We who consider ourselves “blessed” will reap God’s favors. When we focus our lives on God’s laws, he watches over us; we become glorified. To receive our eternal reward, we must be patient, as all good things come in time. God has guaranteed us his blessing and that our good lives will yield eternal life.

What path will you choose to follow today? Will your choice bring you happiness for a day or two, or life eternal with our loving God?

Let us pray:

Be to us, O Lord, the bread of the strong today. Our burdens press so wearily that we falter and faint on the way. Be to us, O Lord, the wine of the blessed today as we yearn to follow your ways, to live with you forever. Amen.