The Violence of Love

I bought this book after seeing the DVD "Romero". There are very few things in my life which I can say changed everything for me, and the DVD and this book were some of those few. He speaks simply and clearly to a loved audience of suffering believers. He speaks to the need of a conversion of love for the poor as an imperative step after a conversion to Christ. That every Christian living in comfort and safety must give money, time, energy, and prayer to the needs of the poor and oppressed. And that this giving must be past the point of what is convenient. He says that no Christian has a right to live in comfort if he sees someone suffering. That any Christian suffering must pray for and love their enemies. This book is radical in its simplicity, in its clarity, in its gentleness, and in its absolute conviction. Tragically, Romero was killed in 1980 for trying to live out the commands of Christ. This book is great as a devotional, even if you are not into devotionals, and can be read in small bites.

Este libro del Salvadoreno contiene secciones pequenas de sus homilias y cartas que escribio. Estas escrituras nos expone a las verdaderas ensenanzas de la iglesia y como debemos vivir verdaderamente como crisitanos. El nos enseno que es la verdadera liberacion. Lo que el descubrio y nosotros tenemos que descubrir tambien es que tenemos que tener cuidado de no estar "suavizando demasiado el mensaje de la cruz, [por] que es duro"(129). En este libro, Romero como profeta nos deja saber que Dios nos llama, y es nuestra vocacion responder. En este libro encontraran como debemos responder. In this book you will be exposed to the homilies written by Romero. In it one will see his hopes and determination of living a true Christian life. This book is wonderful to have for it contains many short sections from his homilies and letters that he wrote. They expose us to the true teachings of the Catholic Church and how we are to truly live as Christians. He taught what true liberation is. Romero, like a prophet, lets us know that God calls us and it is our duty to respond. In this book, you will find a way of how we need to respond.

A wonderful book for discovering the true meaning of Christian love in our often difficult and painful world. I have used this book more than once in putting together mini retreats for adults. One cannot help soul searching after the experience. Viewing the film Romero with Raul Julia helps bring it all home. Don't let the title put you off - the book is all about love without violence.

Romero's moving quotations, spoken from the altar, are presented in chronological order. Each day Romero spoke increasingly explicit "truth to power". As his message becomes more threatening to the powers that be, the reader can almost watch the gun sites come into focus on the heart of this martyr!

Archbishop Romero's life and writing is a testamony of transending the status quo to becomimng a voice for the voiceless. A bullet from the oppressors silenced this challenge represented by Romero. These writings uncover the presence of Christ amoung the poor. Here is a message of courage and hope revealed in poetic lines rooted in the commom struggle for freedom and justice by the people.