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Review Summary: Romero, Prophet for Our Time |
Date: 2008-06-09 |
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Details: This selection of Romero's sermons should be read by every Christian. Romero preached and lived the Gospel better than any modern man or woman. If one can get a hold of the DVD of the movie "Romero" and read these sermons, it will be a most loving, powerful spiritual experience. As Jesus spoke for the oppressed and poor, Archbishop Romero carries this message to our times. |
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Review Summary: The Violence of TRUTH |
Date: 2007-09-01 |
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Details: Oscar Romero was the archbishop of San Salvador, assassinated while saying Mass in 1980 by death squads, tacitly backed by the United Sates under the Reagan administration. These ideological political forces that executed him were challenged by his public voice against poverty, social injustice, political killings, and torture in El Salvador. Romero was an incredibly eloquent speaker and writer. Here is an excerpt from one of his sermons that appears in "The Violence of Love":
"There is no dichotomy between man and God's image.
Whoever tortures a human being,
whoever abuses a human being,
whoever outrages a human being,
abuses God's image."
Here is another excerpt:
"A preaching that does not point out sin is not the preaching of the gospel A preaching that makes sinners feel good, so that they are secured in their sinful state, betrays the gospel's call. A preaching that does not discomfit sinners but lulls them in their sin leaves Zebulun and Naphtali in the shadow of death.
A preaching that awakens, a preaching that enlightens as when a light turned on awakens and, of course, annoys, the sleeper that is the preaching of Christ, calling "Wake up... Be converted!..." Naturally, such preaching must meet conflict, must spoil what is called prestige, must disturb, must be persecuted. It cannot get along with the powers of darkness and sin..."
Oscar Romero, martyr, spoke the words in this second excerpt Jan. 22, 1978 - roughly 2 months before his assassination.
It is probably worth noting that I am not a Catholic. However, I do consider Oscar Romero to have been a brother in Christ and a fine example for religious people everyewhere. This book, "The Violence of Love", has been invaluable to me in my own studies and spiritual walk. The sermons Romero preached those decades ago ring every bit as true and pertinent in today's world of war, hatred and violence as they did when he spoke them. They are timeless. As an "American Indian" and Christian I found the liberation theology that Romero so eloquently articulates to be a theology that is imperative for the salvation of my people and/or anyone that wishes to explore more deeply the true message of the Gospels. This book has my highest reccomendation. |
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Review Summary: Inspirational |
Date: 2007-05-14 |
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Details: The words of Bishop Romero are very inspirational. This book contains a collection of short quotes from homilies given by Romero to people in need of liberation. The topics of the quotes vary and are applicable to all walks of life. I would recommend reading a biography of Romero or the history of El Salvador before reading this book to give his words a better historical context. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking direction in life or anyone seeking the inspiration of a hero for humanity. |
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Review Summary: TODAY ON THIS ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ASSASSINATION BY US FORCES WE NEED HIS PRAYERS FOR PEACE NOW MORE THAN EVER |
Date: 2007-03-25 |
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Details: On this day a near quarter century ago Archbishop Oscar A. Romero got shot during the Offertory of the Mass in his small but beautiful Teminal Hospital Chapel in San Salvador. I visited there a few years later, seeing where the military shooter crouched as the Archbishop raised the chalice and Host in offering, offering his own body and life to the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom, having spent years preaching and striving courageously and prophetically for Peace and Justice in Jesus Christ, for the most vulnerable and impoverished people amongst us, and the Gospel "preferential option for the Poor" declared in Medellin by the CELAM.
This book, published in reprint a few years back by the great Catholic publishing house Orbis Books, presents for our strengthening and meditation golden spiritual ore mined from the sermons of Archbishop Romero, mainly from the late seventies, collected acording to theme by the Jesuit scholar, journalist and priest, the late Rev. James Brockman, SJ, editor of the well-known and long published Catholic magazine America.
The themes around which Fr. Brockman gathers these fairly brief citations from Archbishop Romero's sermons include: Pilgrim Church, History of Salvation, Idol of Self, God's Justice, Bright Light of Christ, Option for the Poor and Good News to the Poor, etc. As a great editor, Fr. Brockman leaves us what is most permanent and prophetic from the Archbishop's sermons, in sizes we can easily meditate and digest, as well as more lengthy selections.
The introduction by the great theologian and writer Father Henri Nouwen beautifully and brilliantly places these readings in the context of salvation history and prophetically as a call to conversion and to action for each one of us. Father Nouwen personalizes our dazzling encounter with the spirituality of this saintly martyr in a way that we are not overwhelmed nor confused but made able to receive his Words, based continually in the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For once an introduction truly serves to introduce us to the main body of a work, making us capable of comprehending and of conversion through the great homilies of the Archbishop.
If you have time for only one work regarding Archbishop Romero, whose canonization is in process in the Vatican, this is an excellent place to begin, and to dwell.
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Review Summary: Fantastic |
Date: 2007-01-10 |
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Details: A voice of a martyr and prophet. Explains what it means to be a Christian. |
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out of 12 Reviews
