Lent 2025 Day 7

Óscar Romero, Saint and Advocate
Micah 6:8 | Psalm 17

Óscar Romero was a Salvadoran archbishop who became the voice of the oppressed in a time of great violence and injustice. Born in 1917 in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador, he grew up in a devout Catholic family and entered seminary at a young age. After his ordination in 1942, he pursued further theological studies in Rome before returning to El Salvador, where he served as a parish priest and later as a bishop. Initially, Romero was known for his conservative theological views and reluctance to engage in politics. However, everything changed in 1977 when his close friend, Jesuit priest Rutilio Grande, was assassinated for his work defending the rights of the poor. This moment was a turning point for Romero, awakening him to the deep injustices plaguing his country.

As violence escalated in El Salvador, Romero could no longer remain silent. From the pulpit, over the radio, and in public advocacy, he spoke against corruption, poverty, and the killing of innocent civilians, calling on soldiers to refuse unjust orders and urging the church to stand with the oppressed. His prophetic witness was rooted in the call of Micah 6:8: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Romero did not seek power or prestige; he simply sought to live out the Gospel by standing in solidarity with those who had no voice. He knew the risks—he was threatened repeatedly—but he continued to preach justice, believing that faith is meaningless unless it is lived out in love and action.

Psalm 17 is a prayer for protection and justice, a cry from one who has been falsely accused and persecuted. Romero’s life mirrored this psalm. He stood before the powerful, pleading for justice, trusting that God heard the cries of the poor. On March 24, 1980, while celebrating Mass at a hospital chapel, he was assassinated by a government death squad for his unwavering commitment to truth and justice. His martyrdom solidified his legacy as a champion of liberation theology and a defender of human rights. In 2018, Pope Francis officially canonized him as Saint Óscar Romero, recognizing his fearless faith and his ultimate sacrifice for justice.

Lent is a time to examine whether our faith aligns with the justice God requires. Do we stand with the oppressed, as Romero did? Do we have the courage to challenge injustice even when it comes at a cost? True discipleship means more than personal devotion—it means action, solidarity, and walking humbly with God.

Reflection:

• How does the call of Micah 6:8 challenge your faith in this season of Lent? 
• Where do you see injustice in the world today, and how might God be calling you to respond? 
• How can you walk humbly with God while also standing boldly for truth and justice? 

Breath Prayer: Inhale: Lord, show me justice… Exhale: …Teach me to walk humbly with You.

May this Lent stir in us the same fire that burned in Óscar Romero—a love for God that is inseparable from a love for justice.
Amen.