Consider the fierce stone features of its face
a vaccination of demonic strain,
a backfire lit on purpose to contain
hell’s wildfire outside this glade of grace.
For if the tale is true, it’s put in place
to scare the scarer”a sort of devil’s bane
that guards the Lord Christ’s castle and domain,
protecting teaching seat and sacred space.
But subtler, more clever than that tale,
the architect who realized that the course
of rain from roof to street below could flow
through mocking masks avenged the first betrayal:
Making downspouts of demons, he would force
Satan to carry water for his Foe.
We launched the First Things 2023 Year-End Campaign to keep articles like the one you just read free of charge to everyone.
Measured in dollars and cents, this doesn't make sense. But consider who is able to read First Things: pastors and priests, college students and professors, young professionals and families. Last year, we had more than three million unique readers on firstthings.com.
Informing and inspiring these people is why First Things doesn't only think in terms of dollars and cents. And it's why we urgently need your year-end support.
Will you give today?
