# A melody of hope: Witnessing for God
*2008-12-01*

> Bill Young reflects on the martyrdom of four American missionaries in El Salvador and the call for Catholics to walk with the poor.

## The Purpose of Witnessing

The whole purpose of this podcast is to witness to God and for God, and for our prayers to glorify God and all His saints and angels. We can all try to do something in our own lives to witness, perhaps by reaching out to the poor, the needy, or the homeless. At this time of year, when we see the homeless on the streets, we can help them with money or whatever may be beneficial. They are very grateful and they bless you. Remember that whatever you give to the least, you give to God.

## The Martyrs of El Salvador

Twenty-eight years ago today, four women missionaries from the United States were martyred by a death squad in El Salvador: Sister Maura Clarke, M.M., Sister Dorothy Kazel, O.S.U., Sister Ita Ford, M.M., and lay missioner Jean Donovan. They were marked for death for the 'crimes' of teaching people to read, helping refugees, and feeding and sheltering the poor. Despite being warned to leave a dangerous place, they chose to persist in hope. The music of their lives could not be silenced.

## A Call to Accompany the Suffering

In the weeks before her death, Sister Maura Clarke wrote to her family that she did not know what tomorrow would bring, yet she was at peace, searching to learn what the Lord was asking of her. Sister Maura believed her call was simple: to accompany the people who were suffering from injustice and brutality, and to remind them that they were the children of a loving God. This raises the question of whether there can be an authentic Catholic life without some level of walking with the poor.

## Befriending the Poor

In the marriage ritual, the blessing of the bridal couple asks that the poor find the couple to be generous friends, so that they may be welcomed to the joys of heaven. This prayer hints that the poor are the ones who welcome us, their friends, to the heavenly banquet. But first, we must befriend them; we must stand with them as children of a loving God.

## Bringing Light to Dark Places

A text from the majestic liturgy says, 'The Lord will come soon and will not delay. The Lord will make the darkest places bright.' As we light the Advent candle, we should pause to wonder: To what dark place am I being called to bear the Lord's brightness? Where are the poor I must befriend?

*We are called to befriend the poor and accompany those suffering from injustice, for in doing so, we witness to the love of God and find our own way to the heavenly banquet.*