We spent the last day celebrating the life of Oscar Romero and visiting the major locations where he impacted the world. Our journey began at the small chapel where he lived even after he was promoted to Archbishop. Sister Mercedes gave us a tour of the famous chapel where Romero was assassinated while leading Mass and invited us to the platform where he stood and looked at his murderer. She described in detail what part of the Mass he was and how a red Volkswagen pulled up to the front doors that were open. As we were educated about what happened the sister invited us to share our word that defined how we remember Oscar Romero. We remember him to be a champion, a prophet, pastor, a true follower of Jesus and someone who is not afraid to cross borders.
Sister Mercedes told us a variety of stories about how Monsenor Romero would not be persuaded to favor the rich by dwelling in a mansion that was provided by the wealthy. He always chose to stand beside those who had little and were not able to defend himself. The videos that I will post offer a great deal more information then I will be able to post. Oscar Romero’s voice was hated by the rich and the military. He denounced greed, the idolatry of power and death. The defended the rights of all that were marginalized and it was during his homily the day before he died that he called for the military to give up their war against the people of El Salvador.
During Romero’s time as Archbishop there were projects to rebuild the cathedral, but he vowed that a penny would not be spent on the cathedral while the people were living in poverty. He believed in justice and believed in improving the lives of those that had not. Being shot in the heart is a very beautiful testimony to who Oscar Romero was and proof that his heart belonged to the people.
During the middle of the day Barrett and Chava led us in a time of communion. Barrett invited us to share the things that we mourn. I mourned the laziness and complacency of my own people. We mourned forgetfulness, the weariness of the woman with her child at the market and the loss of life.
Our evening was spent celebrating with the community of Shekinah. We sang songs, shared hugs and tears and broke bread together. Small treasures were given to each of us so that we could remember our time in the land of El Salvador and so we could remember our dear friends living on another continent. This was indeed one of the most profound journeys I have ever been on. It didn’t have to do with providing volunteer labor, it didn’t have to do with building structures for people of faith to meet under, it didn’t involve building places for orphans, it was a time of listening. We had the blessing and opportunity to listen to the stories of a persecuted and wounded people who had risen from the ashes and could celebrate the resurrection of their king in the context of their own story. These people know a Jesus that walks with them, that encourages them and provides for them when times are more difficult then our pampered American minds can comprehend. I am blessed to have shared the foot steps of such beautiful and wonderful people. May these opportunities carry on for generations. Thank you for who you are, may we always be friends even though are hearts are so far form one another.
We spent the last day celebrating the life of Oscar Romero and visiting the major locations where he impacted the world. Our journey began at the small chapel where he lived even after he was promoted to Archbishop. Sister Mercedes gave us a tour of the famous chapel where Romero was assassinated while leading Mass and invited us to the platform where he stood and looked at his murderer. She described in detail what part of the Mass he was and how a red Volkswagen pulled up to the front doors that were open. As we were educated about what happened the sister invited us to share our word that defined how we remember Oscar Romero. We remember him to be a champion, a prophet, pastor, a true follower of Jesus and someone who is not afraid to cross borders.
During the middle of the day Barrett and Chava led us in a time of communion. Barrett invited us to share the things that we mourn. I mourned the laziness and complacency of my own people. We mourned forgetfulness, the weariness of the woman with her child at the market and the loss of life.
Our evening was spent celebrating with the community of Shekinah. We sang songs, shared hugs and tears and broke bread together. Small treasures were given to each of us so that we could remember our time in the land of El Salvador and so we could remember our dear friends living on another continent. This was indeed one of the most profound journeys I have ever been on. It didn’t have to do with providing volunteer labor, it didn’t have to do with building structures for people of faith to meet under, it didn’t involve building places for orphans, it was a time of listening. We had the blessing and opportunity to listen to the stories of a persecuted and wounded people who had risen from the ashes and could celebrate the resurrection of their king in the context of their own story. These people know a Jesus that walks with them, that encourages them and provides for them when times are more difficult then our pampered American minds can comprehend. I am blessed to have shared the foot steps of such beautiful and wonderful people. May these opportunities carry on for generations. Thank you for who you are, may we always be friends even though are hearts are so far form one another.
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