I have been thinking about Oscar Romero since Sunday’s beatification. Often I recommend to my retreatants during the Fourth Week of the Spiritual Exercises to watch the film of his life story. If you want to know how to serve God but think you cannot this saint-to-be is a perfect example of getting out of God’s way and letting the Spirit flow. The story of the bookworm who became a national hero in El Salvador leaves me in awe of what God can do. Some suggest that it was his own experience doing the Spiritual Exercises that changed him. His pleas to stop the repression in his country cost him his life. He understood the Gospel values of laying down his life for the greater good.

Today’s First Reading from Sirach 44 says that of some there is no memory,for when they ceased, they ceased.
For others, though, the godly ones, their glory will never be blotted out. Romero fell in the later camp–he will be remembered for all eternity. He has left a legacy not only in his humble country but around the world. His glory will remain.

Thinking about your own legacy, will your glory remain, or when you cease, will you cease to be remembered? Many mentors have gone before me and their glory remains etched on my heart as I try to emulate some of their values in my own life. We do not have to be an Oscar Romero to remain in people’s hearts but we do have to make some choices about how we are living if we do not want to fade away without leaving some kind of a positive mark on our world. What choices are you making?

Peace,

Suzanne