the Parallels Between Oscar Romero And The Gospel Of Mark

“If God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my death be for the freedom of my people. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish. I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador.” Those are the words of Oscar Romero, a priest in the Catholic Church who was canonized after he lead his followers in a non-violence movement. During his lifetime, Romero was persecuted for his religious beliefs by preaching non-violence, and this ultimately led to his arrest. It may be noted that The Gospel of Mark and the life of Oscar Romero share parallels such as how they lead others in faith, how they confront others by standing up for their beliefs, and how they were persecuted because of their religious beliefs.

Oscar Romero lead his people in faith by preaching the word of the lord to people who needed guidance and hope during a horrible time in his country. Oscar Romero shares characteristics to Jesus because Jesus would travel to preach his word and teachings to different groups of people going through difficult times. A perfect example of when Oscar Romero showed these similarities was when the people were running into the church to try and find sanctuary and he preached how they must have faith and continue not to act in violence. Jesus taught his apostles in a similar fashion that Romero taught his people, he taught the apostles not to act in violence and to live a minimalist life. Romero and Jesus both carried their faith and believed in non-violence.

Jesus and Oscar Romero both believed that morals were everything and always stood up for what they believed in no matter the consequence. Oscar Romero protested the soldiers by preaching his faith in a non-violent manner which lead to him being arrested. In Mark, Jesus confronts the tax collectors. When Jesus confronted the tax collectors at Levis dinner he says “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” He confronts the tax collectors and sinners for their wrong doings standing up for his beliefs in the name of the lord, Jesus and Romero always stood up for what they believed in no matter the consequences or problems that might face which made things difficult for them.

Jesus and Romero went through their lives constantly be persecuted and judged for their faith. A prime example of this is Jesus’s crucifixion. In Jesus crucifiction, Jesus was pinned to a cross and tortured because the people didn’t agree with what he was preaching. Jesus made it clear how he will rise again in Jerusalem and that he is not finished and this led to the resurrection. Unfortunately, Oscar Romero wasn’t so lucky, during a mass that Oscar was leading preaching non-violence, he was killed by the military because of his teachings. Oscar Romero and Jesus both were persecuted for their religion and this ultimately lead to their deaths.

Oscar Romero and Jesus both encountered a great deal in their lifetime, they managed mistreatment, judgment, and hate on account of their convictions. Oscar Romero and Jesus were both seen as great individuals in the Catholic Church and are perceived for their great doings. Oscar Romero and Jesus Christ made a point to place their confidence in their teachings. In end Oscar Romero and Jesus both offer parallels, how they lead others in confidence, how they confront others by going up to bat for their faith, and how they were persectued for their beliefs.