Walls

As I read back over some journal postings I came across this one—a reflection on the story of the ten lepers from Luke 17. I never realized before that Luke makes a point to say that the leper who returned to thank Jesus for his healing was an outsider. I was inspired to write some reflections.

We love walls

and barriers and fences

All around the world

People of my hue

have staked a claim to lands not for sale

fields and forests and pastures

now they are ours

and a price must be paid

to cross over

I’m ashamed of this stand

we take against others

Jesus healed ten lepers

One came back in thanksgiving—

an outsider

You are loved and healed and saved

Words of Jesus to this man on the edge

Wall Street, said the tour guide

was actually a wall

to keep the colonials safe from the Indians—his words

Now reservations house

those once proud people

who roamed their land freely

Fences, wired and razor sharp

keep out the undeserving from the south

Never mind our crops lie

rotting in the fields

as laws are passed

against our neighbors

For I was a stranger

and you took me in.

Words of Jesus.

October 2011

Written after a trip to New York City to hear the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, during which our tour guide made the above statement about Indians, and harsh and haughty judgments were made against the occupy wall street people. I was ashamed and angry that the wonderful service we had just experienced at Brooklyn Tabernacle was laid aside as we walked out through the church doors.