29/03/2017

Good morning.
We human beings seem to have an innate tendency to build walls. In fact we’re pretty good at it as archaeological discoveries demonstrate.
And we’re also pretty good at using walls to divide us.
On my first visit to Belfast, I was shocked to discover that there are still around a hundred sections of “peace wall” in that city. Nationalist, Unionist; North Korea, South Korea; Mexico, United States; it’s a sad litany.
I spent last week travelling in the Bible Lands of Israel and Palestine moving through cities significant to Jew, Christian and Moslem alike; Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth.
Almost the whole way, the beautiful landscape is scarred by a wall like any other so-called peace wall: barbed wire, concrete, and fortified watch towers. For those who haven’t seen it before, it’s usually deeply upsetting. 
Walls, so easily built. Walls, so easily justified – apparently there’s always a good reason for building them! Walls, they literally cement division – they are an indictment on humanity.
In case we’re too quick to condemn others, it’s worth remembering that all of us easily fall to the temptation to start putting up the wire: we cut people off at work, we stop speaking to relatives, or we simply fail to forgive a hurt and let it fester.
Christians believe that a radical characteristic of Jesus was his refusal to be contained by walls. In expressing God’s ultimate vision for humanity, he crossed cultural and religious barriers at every turn, breaking down walls between men and women, Jew and Gentile, rich and poor.
So, God of all, help me today to be honest about any part I have played in building walls that separate me from family or colleagues. Give me courage to break them down, and help me to knock out the first brick today. Amen.