And They’ll Know Us by Our Love

And they’ll know us by our love,
that’s what we like to say,
as we pray for better parking
and children burn away.

And they’ll know us by our love,
as we ask for more each day,
for comfort, wealth, promotion,
while the hungry waste away.

And they’ll know us by our love,
as the congregation cheers,
a shepherd calls to slaughter those
his God taught him to fear.

And they’ll know us by our love,
while the faithful sit and nod,
as priests and pastors rape the young,
and still speak for God.

And they’ll know us by our love,
as we bow our heads and pray,
and call inaction holiness,
and turn our eyes away.

And they’ll know us by our love,
and I know what comes from this,
you’ll read these words in silence,
and answer me with this.

And they’ll know us by our love,
through the silence that you choose,
when truth is left unanswered,
and no one dares refuse.

And they’ll know us by our love.

—Bryan Brouwer