Put A Shovel In The Ground

By Rev. Hiram L. Brett

“Faith Matters” is a column that features pieces written by local religious figures.

 “If a man has not discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”  — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I have often been threatened with death. If they kill me, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people.” — Archbishop (Saint) Oscar Romero

Throughout my children’s K-12 educational journey, spring break was always a space for some relaxing quality family time in a warm weather climate, preferably the Caribbean, enjoying its vibrant culture, beaches and golf. Spring break 2015 was quite a bit different. I spent that spring break from Yale Divinity School in El Salvador as part of an IEP (Immersion Experience Program) with the International Partners in Mission (IPM) as a component of a Latin American Liberation Theology class.

This immersive experience was transformative in my formation. Liberation theology grew out of a Latin American context. Latin American theologians, such as Gustavo Gutiérrez, Ignacio Ellacuria, and Jon Sobrino posit that it is through the poor that the reality of God irrupts into history. According to liberation theologians, Jesus’ ministry was focused on serving the poor and oppressed and alleviating their suffering.  

Amidst the rise of liberation theology, a 12-year civil war raged in El Salvador from 1980 through 1992 with the repressive El Salvadoran government openly hostile to the Jesuit priests because they thought they were sympathetic to the poor and to the guerilla fighters.  Archbishop Romero was assassinated in that environment.

Our travels took us throughout El Salvador. We visited around the time of Archbishop Romero’s beatification service in San Salvador. I was struck by the love of the people for Archbishop Romero, who was slain with a single shot to the heart on March 24,1980, while he prepared the Eucharist/Communion for a memorial in a small chapel. This was one day after he had urged the Salvadoran soldiers to disobey their superiors with these words, “In the name of God, in the names of the suffering people whose cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God to stop the repression.”

We visited the chapel where Archbishop Romero was slain. Though archbishop, he had chosen to live in a small cottage across from the chapel. We explored the small space where his bed, desk, and bookcase were retained. I was struck by the ordinary and the extraordinary that mingled in that space. A car manual was included amidst his varied scholarly readings. Perhaps the most touching sight was the display of the clerical garb that he was wearing when assassinated, the sight of the small bullet hole and the blood-stained vestment from that awful, fateful day.

We visited many other places in El Salvador and were able to engage with many different constituents and communities.  One place was El Mozote, where on Dec. 11, 1981, in what is now known as the El Mozote Massacre, the Salvadoran army killed more than 900 people. Estimates are that 70 to 80 percent of the victims were children, women, and old people. Beyond the rape, maiming and killing that took place, there were decapitations and fire was set to the buildings in the village. The site was almost sacred in its serenity. I was so moved by the space and place that I made sure to purchase the symbol of the massacre: a carving of a family consisting of a mother, father, son, and daughter with the caption, El Mozote – Nunca Mas. To this day, the carving resides in my office with a small picture of Archbishop Romero.

Archbishop Romero said that if he was to die, he would arise in the spirit of the people. Indeed there was a palpable sense that that was the case. Many of the people we met were inspired by Romero’s example. Luis and Gustav, two artists and theologians emphasized the communal nature in the people and how people share because poor people are used to sharing. They shared a deep abiding theology centered on justice, liberty, and equality. In their art space, they had created a beautiful and striking mural depicting Archbishop Romero, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ghandi, and John Lennon.

One of our most touching encounters was with a women’s cooperative that was located in the remote village of Armenia. This coalition had advocated for water for their small hamlet of poor people. They described how families had to travel far to obtain water and how often their choice came down between water and food. Finding strength from Romero, the women were able to lobby and politic to get a well built in their community so that they could now deliver water three days a week to the houses in the hamlet. When we asked how they chose where to build the well, these women of faith, hope and love responded, “we put a shovel in the ground in the name of God and prayed to God.’” O, what faith!!  From that success, the cooperative purchased a grinding machine and went on to make meals for households in the hamlet. Later, they branched out to develop a sewing business as well as a bakery.

Recently, I attended a Meshell Ndegeocello jazz concert. I was particularly captivated by her song “Trouble” and this verse: What’s another word for trouble? Cause that’s what we’re in. Everyone down for the struggle until it begins.

Everyone down for the struggle until it begins! When trouble confronted Archbishop Romero, he spoke out and brought a renewed spirit to the Salvadoran people. When trouble struck, the women of the women’s cooperative put a shovel in the ground in the name of God and prayed and water flowed and businesses proliferated. When trouble strikes in your life, will you be down for the struggle and where will you place your shovel and who will you call upon? Namaste, Shalom, Salam, Paz, Amani, Peace

Reverend Hiram L. Brett is spiritual care coordinator and chaplain at Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) and serves as chairman of the Gateway Community College Foundation Board.  His ministry encompasses providing chaplaincy services to marginalized and vulnerable patients and families