Once again, this reading has my blood boiling. The brutality of the elite upon the poor is incomprehensible. Chao Romero writes, “Military and paramilitary forces conducted beheadings, skinned people alive, slit throats, and even ripped unborn children from their mother’s wombs . . . [this] was funded by the United States . . . led by officers and soldiers trained . . . at the US Army School of the Americas” (167). And we have the audacity to turn a blind eye to our hand in these atrocities. We white American Christians whine about our “God given rights” to guns and “free speech”. We cry out that we are being persecuted and yet, we have continuously chosen the side of the violent elitist oppressors.
The glimmering of hope is Oscar Romero’s words themselves, in the face of such brutality, his shift to and fight for liberation for the poor is absolutely beautiful. He is a beacon of Christian light shining in a dark time. His impact on liberation theology is extraordinary and yet, just the simple gospel. Romero’s words are just as needed today as in the 70s. He says, “neutrality is impossible” (166). “Christian love is a love that certainly seeks peace, but also unmasks the false pacifism . . . of resignation and inactivity”(169). “A church that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesnt touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed — what gospel is that?”(173). His words should make the average American Christian reexamine much of their lives and “Christian” messaging, particularly in the political sphere.
Romero speaks, “The face of Christ is in the poor who ask the church for their voice to be heard”(168). In what ways are we assisting the poor and treating them as image bearers of the most high? It is Jesus himself who said that “the poor will inherit the earth”. This is not some far off happening but a truth we can make possible now. Things like redistributive wealth, and mutual aid are deeply Jesus supported principles. So why does so much of the American Church fail to act accordingly online or in voting booths? Why do we spout such vile rhetoric about those who are orphaned, poor, suffering, desolate?
It’s time for the American church to experience a revival after the likes of Romero and his liberation theology. Without liberation from sin and brokenness, there is no gospel. Our lives need to bear to witness that truth.
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