Respecting All Life May Require Conversion

On March 24, 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated with a gunshot to the heart. To make the purpose of the assassination clear, now St. Oscar Romero had just finished his homily in a Mass he was saying at an El Salvadoran hospital for the terminally ill. His preaching by this point in his life was aimed at the deplorable and even murderous treatment his military government and the right-wing political party showed the poor and the vulnerable of El Salvador. The day before his murder, his homily included these words: “In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people whose cries rise to Heaven more loudly each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: Stop the repression!” A day later he was dead.

But St. Romero was not always this brave, this outspoken, this protective of the poor and abused. In his early priesthood and even his time as bishop, Romero defended his government and its mercenaries. His strict obedience and patriotism to his country silenced his mouth and actions even when his heart was yelling: “NO!” But something changed. His heart of stone became a heart of flesh. Looking at his entire life, we find conversion was happening early in his childhood. But it took time. It took pain and suffering. It took dedication to church teachings, as especially espoused by St. Paul VI and Vatican II’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, all enveloped in a deepened and intimate personal relationship with Jesus. Although unaware, ongoing conversion developed this saint’s heart and soul to such great magnitudes, when coupled with his personal experiences of Christ in the poor, vulnerable, and abused, he shed his loyalty to a civil government and gave everything, even his life, to Christ.

This is a great month to ask God to show us our blind spots where respecting all life is concerned. Are there any lives that seem less important to me? Who are they? Can I identify some common thread that runs through these people and their lives? Do I really live the belief that every person is created by and in the image and likeness of God?

The U. S. Catholic bishops address the “Option for the Poor and Vulnerable” on their website.

Here’s what they say:

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt. 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The scripture reference mentioned is the familiar when I was hungry, thirsty, naked . . . you fed, clothed, and gave me drink. Whatever you do to these, you do to me. Finally, one group is sent to eternal punishment while the other blissfully enjoys eternal life. The bishops are saying that our Catholic tradition of helping our poor and vulnerable is biblical and straight out of Jesus’ mouth.

Another moral test you might take is to pay attention to what happens in you when you read the phrase: Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable? Repeat it slowly several times. Be aware of each word. Consider that Louisiana has the second-highest poverty rate in 2019. What should your personal Preferential Option for them look like?

St. Oscar Romero was blind to the plight of the poor, outcast, and abused of El Salvador until, as Archbishop, he listened to them, he walked with them, he moved into solidarity with their plight. Then, his eyes were opened, and his heart was changed. He had a new perspective. His heart shifted and his actions were centered on their pain and suffering. He found himself ministering to Jesus in the suffering, just as Jesus ministered to the suffering in his day. As Catholics, we are encouraged to emulate the saints; to emulate Jesus. Are you ready to listen to the poorest around you as St. Oscar Romero did? Would you agree to walk with them, feel their plight, and then challenge political, business, and even church leaders to make the poor their Preferential Option? Finally, will you dare to pray for the grace of God to ignite conversion in you as he did St. Oscar Romero of El Salvador?

To respect all life is something we all agree on. And if you are like me, it takes some conversion to live it to the fullest.