(Beatification is being live-streamed at noon today.)

 

Meditation of Archbishop Oscar Romero

 

Martyred on March 24, 1980 in San Salvador, while saying Mass, Archbishop Romero had spoken out for all those suffering oppression, at a great risk to himself.  He had completed a radio address the day before, exhorting the people to follow their consciences rather than “orders.”  He knew the risk but said “I am bound as a pastor by divine command, to give my life for those whom I love…”  He died as he lived.  But he left us a meditation which is very helpful whenever we think something depends only on us, or that we have the only vision, or that our contribution really doesn’t matter.  It is an inspiring way to look at the work God gives us to do.

 

It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction

Of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying

That the kingdom of God always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.

We plant seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted,

Knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our abilities.

We cannot do everything,

And realizing that gives us a sense of liberation.

This enables us to do something and to do it very well.

It may be incomplete but it is a beginning, a step along the way,

An opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results,

But that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders,

Ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

Amen.

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