Building Walls
“Anyone who only thinks of building walls
and does not think of bridging gaps is not a Christian.”
(Pope Francis’ admonition to candidate Donald Trump in 2016)
Building a wall along the border with
Mexico
Thickening the walls of hatred and discrimination between races
Strengthening the walls of exclusion against white domination in a nation of
immigrants
Widening the economic gap and raising the walls of wealth and poverty
Inciting political conflict and painting the walls of division with lies
Waging trade wars and constructing walls of severance
Exploiting war to selfishly erect walls of division
Showing walls of oppression without wisdom or ideals
Striking cheeks with money and displaying walls of submission or rebellion
Ignoring the law, infringing on human rights, building walls of tyranny
Denying scientific evidence and maintaining biased walls
Burning with insatiable desires while finding delight in walls of denunciation
Reaping benefits from reforms marked by arrogant duality, walls of carrot and
stick
Even the most talented individuals, capable scientists, and wealth scatter
beyond the walls
Those who build bridges find their thoughts powerless, shriveled before the
wall of desert
The courtiers within the walls exult in their authority, delighting in
oppression
A man surrounded by walls claiming to be a king even mocks God
(Written on April 23, 2025. Pope Francis
passed away on the night of the 21st due to a stroke and heart failure at the
age of 88. I felt drawn to the words of the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics. My
heartfelt condolences.)