Ministry of Congregational Singing

Thank God for those with mason’s skill

who build secure, protective walls

to keep the wind and cold at bay

and shelter us from nature’s squalls.

A wall retains and fortifies

with brick and mortar, stone or wood,

but God’s own people seldom ask,

“When is a wall no earthly good?”

Too many walls that humans build

divide, restrict, and segregate;

allowing us to fantasize

that “they” are gone, and “we” are safe.

But Jesus comes when human hands

are calloused as their frightened hearts,

then, with the sledge of love’s demand,

he breaks the fear-drenched wall apart.