Today's Gospel and several passages from the Old Testament suggest that there are two roads, diametrically opposed to one another, one of which leads to life and one of which leads to destruction. Jeremiah, for example, is directed to say to his listeners, "Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death". The Gospel assures us that the person who acts on the words of Jesus is on the way of life.

In recent months we have become aware as never before of the destructive power of wind and water. Television brought to us painful scenes of those whose lives have been destroyed by tsunami and hurricane!

It is painful to watch the disintegration of some entertainment or sporting stars whose undisciplined, directionless lives lead them to destructive excesses of behaviour. Their hope and their promise seem to crumble before our eyes. In simplicity and humility we must build our lives on the Lord God who is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26 : 4) and trust in Him whose steadfast love endures forever. He is much more reliable than even the greatest of princes (Psalm 118 : 1, 8-9). Then we are freed to move into action and so complete a rock-like foundation for our lives.