What a choice! On the one hand, we are offered life and prosperity. It sounds wonderful, and it would be the most intelligent choice. The other choice is death and disaster. Can we imagine choosing that instead? Not an intelligent or happy choice at all. And yet in some ways many people make that second choice. Whenever we walk in God's ways - love, justice, peace, humility, and service - we are blessed with happiness. Not necessarily an easy life without struggle, for that is the lot of all humans. But inner peace and happiness, spiritual growth, and a sense that God is truly with us are all part of the blessing. When we walk in negativity, selfishness, anger, hate, or injustice, we make ourselves and those around us miserable and unhappy. God does not punish us - we punish ourselves. God's wish for us is happiness and fulfillment, but we are free to choose whatever we want.

This same theme is reflected in the Gospel reading. We might choose very poorly in the mistaken belief that the choice we make will make us happy. These are the choices that are focused on the self, especially at the expense of others, or on pleasures that are not good for us. The Gospel warns us that we are hurting ourselves and gaining nothing. But by embracing God and humanity we achieve true happiness and wholeness. We are presented with many opportunities to make these choices each day, so let our choices always be for life in all the fullness that God intends for us.