Status
Available
Publication
Plough Publishing House (2018), 139 pages
Description
To find out why Pope Francis is making Oscar Romero a saint, read the words that cost him his life. "A church that does not provoke crisis, a gospel that does not disturb, a word of God that does not touch the concrete sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed - what kind of gospel is that?" Three short years transformed El Salvador's Archbishop Oscar Romero from a defender of the status quo into one of the most outspoken voices of the oppressed. An assassin's bullet ended his life, but his message lives on. In March 2018 Pope Francis announced that the Catholic Church would canonize Oscar Romero, acknowledging that he is indeed a saint who was martyred for proclaiming the gospel, and that the political and social implications of that message, which so scandalized the powerful, flowed directly from Romero's faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus. These selections from Romero's diaries and radio broadcasts invite each of us to align our own lives with the way of Jesus that lifts up the poor, welcomes the broken, wins over enemies, and transforms the history of entire nations.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Sokudoningyou
This is not a book that is meant to be either large or overly done; it is simply a collection of Romero's diary entries and radio broadcasts. Prefaced by both a forward and an introduction, the book itself is a translated collection, giving us both a timeline of Romero's thoughts and movements in
As a quick reference guide to some of Romero's most important thoughts, this is not a bad book. It is not the entire sum of Romero, but it is not meant to be, and for anyone who wants to understand Romero through his writing, this is a good place to start.
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the two years prior to his assassination, though it is not a collection of all of his writings or broadcasts. Curiously, though it is translated into English (Oscar Romero wrote and spoke in Spanish presumably), the "Diary" entries are labeled as "Diario" instead for no real reason.As a quick reference guide to some of Romero's most important thoughts, this is not a bad book. It is not the entire sum of Romero, but it is not meant to be, and for anyone who wants to understand Romero through his writing, this is a good place to start.
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LibraryThing member EllieNYC
This slender book is powerful beyond its size, just as Oscar Romero, soon to be sainted, was powerful beyond his size. It is a collection of Romero's radio broadcasts and diaries.
As Romero writes, "...a saint is nothing else than the full realization of a life according to the design of God."
At the same time as he spoke out for justice for the poor, he also rejected the more violent forms of liberation that some preached. Romero deeply believed in the God of peace and in transformation through love. He thought that the church was the community of people united in love and justice and that that peace could not be achieved by violence.
Oscar Romero is a hero of mine. I ask myself, could I speak out as he did, knowing I would probably be killed. Romero knew that was a likelihood and was assassinated on the altar during mass. I don't know if I could ever show that much courage but he did not start out that way. He began as a friend to the rich who became radicalized when he became archbishop and became alive to the suffering of the poor and witnessed many priests murdered for their alliance with the poor.
Romero's words are inspirational, especially for Catholics and other Christians who are open to examining their own hearts in the light of Christ's words. Are they--we--ready to be challenged to living a life that is love-based, not fearful or lusting after wealth or power?
This is a book that should be read slowly and meditated upon. It is amazing that words of love could evoke enough rage to commit murder against the speaker. They are words that speak to the peaceful fight for justice and love, both as a society and as an individual. They call out to change the world and our own hearts.
As Romero writes, "...a saint is nothing else than the full realization of a life according to the design of God."
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Romero reached his own realization by preaching a gospel of peace, of justice in a society (El Salvador) that rejected him and his words, the words of Christ. He preached a gospel that would not just console but also discomfort, push people to examine their lives and the world around them and see if they were living in the true light of Christ or in their own selfishness.At the same time as he spoke out for justice for the poor, he also rejected the more violent forms of liberation that some preached. Romero deeply believed in the God of peace and in transformation through love. He thought that the church was the community of people united in love and justice and that that peace could not be achieved by violence.
Oscar Romero is a hero of mine. I ask myself, could I speak out as he did, knowing I would probably be killed. Romero knew that was a likelihood and was assassinated on the altar during mass. I don't know if I could ever show that much courage but he did not start out that way. He began as a friend to the rich who became radicalized when he became archbishop and became alive to the suffering of the poor and witnessed many priests murdered for their alliance with the poor.
Romero's words are inspirational, especially for Catholics and other Christians who are open to examining their own hearts in the light of Christ's words. Are they--we--ready to be challenged to living a life that is love-based, not fearful or lusting after wealth or power?
This is a book that should be read slowly and meditated upon. It is amazing that words of love could evoke enough rage to commit murder against the speaker. They are words that speak to the peaceful fight for justice and love, both as a society and as an individual. They call out to change the world and our own hearts.
Show Less
LibraryThing member nmele
Plough Publishing has done a fabulous job of excerpting from Bishop Romero's sermons and diaries. The sermon bits are grouped around themes such as "The Call", "Redemption", "Liberation" and each excerpt is well selected an well-arranged. Some of these chapters read almost like single sermons.
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Excerpts from Romero's diaries place his words in the contexts of the struggle for justice in El Salvador and his life and emergence as a prophet and leader of his people. Plough's timing couldn't be better as Roman Catholics around the world await announcement of his formal recognition as a saint, canonization. Show Less
LibraryThing member GaryKbookworm
As Father Michael Lapsley writes in his foreword to The Scandal of Redemption, "For Archbishop Romero, the turning point was the assassination of Father Rutilio Grande on March 12, 1977. As Romero said: "When I looked at Rutilio lying there dead I thought, If they have killed him for doing what he
What more can be said for such a man? He followed his convictions to the final end and never wavered. He fought for the impoverished in his words and actions, knowing the way the story may end.
This is a collection of his homilies which were broadcast over the radio and in the archdiocesan newspaper. I believe this book woul inspire and help all people to live a better life than all the plethora of self-help books that currently saturate the book market.
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did, then I have to walk the same path." And he was true to his word as he died from an assassin's bullet on March 24, 1980. Anticipating that this was a real possibility in war torn El Salvador, he forgave the killer or killers beforehand.What more can be said for such a man? He followed his convictions to the final end and never wavered. He fought for the impoverished in his words and actions, knowing the way the story may end.
This is a collection of his homilies which were broadcast over the radio and in the archdiocesan newspaper. I believe this book woul inspire and help all people to live a better life than all the plethora of self-help books that currently saturate the book market.
Show Less
LibraryThing member sullijo
"The Scandal of Redemption: When God Liberates the Poor, Saves Sinners, and Heals Nations" is a collection of excerpts from the homilies and radio broadcasts of Bl. Oscar Romero (soon to be a saint in the Catholic Church), the outspoken archbishop of San Salvador who was assassinated while
The quotes are arranged topically under headings related to the Incarnation, Redemption, the Church, and Liberation, and introduced with an essay by Michael Lapsley and short biography by Carolyn Kurtz. Citations for the excerpts can be found in the back of the book -- a welcome feature.
Like other books in this series, this short collection will familiarize readers with Bl. Oscar, especially his deep faith in the Jesus Christ which led to his martyrdom for speaking out on the injustices and atrocities being committed against the Salvadoran people. I would recommend using it in daily prayer and meditation, especially as we prepare for his upcoming canonization.
NB: I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
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celebrating Mass in 1980.The quotes are arranged topically under headings related to the Incarnation, Redemption, the Church, and Liberation, and introduced with an essay by Michael Lapsley and short biography by Carolyn Kurtz. Citations for the excerpts can be found in the back of the book -- a welcome feature.
Like other books in this series, this short collection will familiarize readers with Bl. Oscar, especially his deep faith in the Jesus Christ which led to his martyrdom for speaking out on the injustices and atrocities being committed against the Salvadoran people. I would recommend using it in daily prayer and meditation, especially as we prepare for his upcoming canonization.
NB: I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
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LibraryThing member LivelyLady
Not meant to be a sit- down- and -read- all- at- once, this collections of letters and reflections by martyred Archbishop Romero is deep and reflective. Would be good to read a chapter daily and discuss.
LibraryThing member marc_beherec
This book is a nice, short collection of excerpts from the writings of Blessed Oscar Romero, who was killed for speaking the truth in El Salvador in the early years of the civil war. The quotations are organized around themes, such as "The Creator," "The Call," and "The Church." There is no
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chronological order to the quotes -- they all come from homilies dating to Romero's three years as Archbishop, but they are organized by theme rather than time. However, excerpts from his diary, printed in an imitation of handwriting on lined paper, intersperse the chapters and help maintain a sense of time and the inevitable movement towards his martyrdom. The book offers a nice look at Romero's thoughts and feelings, but is not scholarly and is religious rather than historical. A forward and appreciation by Michael Lapsley, an Anglican priest who lost his hands fighting oppression in South Africa, is a good addition to the book. Highly recommended as a first exposure to this great man. Show Less
LibraryThing member BD_Engel
Archbishop Oscar Romero was a man with a great heart for the suffering of the poor, and a man with a great religious faith. Both of these characteristics shine through in this selection of his writings. Though obviously compiled with a religious reader in mind, the book also holds value for the
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secular reader -- true compassion is a quality to be respected and valued, whether you share a person's beliefs or not. Show Less
LibraryThing member wademlee
The juxtaposition of diary entries and homilies originally aired as radio broadcasts make for a compelling read and insight into the mind and heart of this modern saint.
LibraryThing member ericaustinlee
This book is such a fantastic collection of St Oscar Romero's radio addresses. They are more than inspiring, as they are exhortations to the highest things in life as found in Christ. Naturally, and sadly, such a radical message amidst a great oppressive society could not stand his peaceable
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message, and so he was martyred while giving mass. The editor's introduction is very helpful here in narrating St Romero's life. Highly recommended reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member PriscillaKing
At a time when other preachers advised Christians to accept social injustice and "offer up" their suffering from ongoing abuses of power, Oscar Romero encouraged workers to participate in acts of nonviolent resistance. Here are English translations of some of the sermons--far from inflammatory
Recommended to all Christians and all activists.
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stuff, you might say--that got him shot to death while he was serving Mass. Recommended to all Christians and all activists.
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Original language
English
Physical description
139 p.; 5 inches
ISBN
0874861411 / 9780874861419
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Awards
Benjamin Franklin Award (Gold — 2018)