Sunday, April 06, 2008

Martin Luther King Jr. and Oscar Romero: Prophets of Easter





Marty and Oscar are usually saints of Lent, which is a season of fasting, penitence, and reflection.

However, Easter is very early this year. Oscar's feast day falls just after Easter, and Marty's falls today.

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

MLK, the day before his assassination

I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will be resurrected in the Salvadoran people.

Oscar Romero

These two were prophets of our time. Both took the side of the poor, and both were killed because of it.

What does it mean to be a prophet of Easter season? It means that God remembers that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. It means that God will make it so that nothing the prophets have sacrificed will be in vain.

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