The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today stir thoughts about the decisions we make about the quality of our life experience. The Book of Genesis tells of the decision of Abram and Lot to separate at Hebron because of the conflict over herds in the two wealthy transient families. As the passage ends, Abram is reassured by God that his inheritance includes all the land he can see. Lot moves to the Jordan valley and abandons the life of herdsman as he integrates into Sodom. His choice to tie himself to the built environment of human design is sometimes considered a poor life decision as the destiny of Sodom is destruction from the evil practiced by its people. The psalmist presents a menu of life decisions which will be characteristic of those who live within the tent of the Lord. These choices include do what is right, speak the truth , do not slander, do no evil, do not lend money at interest and do not take a bribe against the innocent. The Gospel of Matthew adds some more directions on living the life prepared for a deep relationship with the Divine by not profaning the Holy, observing the Golden Rule and entering or moving through the Narrow Gate. This final reference may take us back to Abram and the material wealth which is a burden more easily abandoned by a herding, transient culture then by an urban civilization which can invest resources in wealth accumulation. The consequential challenges of lives spent in the pursuit of wealth make the life advocated by the psalmist and the evangelist more difficult to achieve.
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