Walls

In these days we have seen the limitations and even the failures of walls, most dramatically the walls against floods during the mightiest of storms.

Walls also figure prominently in today’s first reading from the book of the prophet Zechariah (Zec 2:5-9,14-15a), especially in a more traditional translation:

Jerusalem shall be inhabited
as towns without walls
for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

For I, saith the LORD,
will be unto her a wall of fire round about,
and will be the glory in the midst of her.

Human beings erect walls for protection, physical walls and emotional walls, but nothing manmade can withstand all the forces of this world.

Zechariah’s prophecy tells of a New Jerusalem, where there will be no more need for walls and where people can live in peace and prosperity, for the Lord himself will surround us with the fire of his love and fill us with the glory of his Spirit.

Until that time comes, we must be attentive and prudent in this dangerous world, even as we remain focused on the Lord, praying that he will always embrace us with his loving care and fill us with his peace.