Today we sing the first Psalm in the Eucharistic Liturgy. This psalm introduces the whole psalter with its imagery of the two ways: those who hear and ponder and incorporate the Word of God into their daily living versus those who ignore God’s Word and lead a life of wickedness. This psalm serves as a wonderful bridge between the reading from Jeremiah and the gospel from Luke. Jeremiah and the psalm use the imagery of a fruitful tree planted near running water to describe those who trust in God. Luke has a list of blessings for those who are receptive to the reign of God and a list of woes for those who have no place for God’s reign in their lives.
The drama of the Liturgy of the Word today is that there are two basic ways for us human beings to live – a way of blessing and a way of woe, a way of Spirit-led fruitful living and a way of desolation and barrenness. We have a choice. Which way is the major chord in your life?