Write for God

Cesar Chavez

I met a very sharp and independent 98-year-old today. He drove to our office, filled out a sheaf of paperwork and, other than some hearing loss, he seemed at least 20 years younger than his age. I don’t know his secret for longevity, but it was amazing that this gentleman was born before World War I.

Today, March 31, would have been the 82nd birthday of Cesar Chavez, one of my heroes. If he were alive today, he would be many years younger than the energetic senior I met today. Chances are that, if Chavez were still alive, he would still be fighting for farmworkers, fasting and protesting injustice instead of enjoying his retirement years. One of the few items I keep on my writing desk is a pin of the first-class stamp issued by the US Post Office to commemorate Cesar Chavez’ remarkable life of service to others.

The founder of the United Farm Workers died in 1993 at the age of 66. A pioneer of rights for Latino immigrants who work for slave wages in agriculture, Chavez stayed true to his Mexican heritage, his sense of universal justice, his unwavering belief in the power of nonviolent protest and his authentic commitment to human rights. Senator Robert F. Kennedy once called him “one of the heroic figures of our time.”

In terms of what our materialistic society values, Chavez was a failure. He had only an eighth-grade education, never earned more than $6,000 a year in his lifetime and left his eight children no estate to make their lives comfortable.

Yet, Cesar Chavez was rich in what God deems valuable: an earnest heart, a genuine concern for all people and a courage beyond measure. Chavez showed that the least of our brothers who band together for justice are a powerful moral force. He testified to the power of nonviolence as a weapon stronger than hate. This simple man spoke to millions and made us see that the produce on our tables is a result of the sweat and blood of people whose lives are spent in abject poverty that is ignored by the residents of the richest nation on Earth. 

Here is Cesar Chavez’ prayer for farmworkers struggling for justice: 

Show me the suffering of the most miserable;

So I will know my people’s plight.

 

Free me to pray for others;

For you are present in every person.

 

Help me to take responsibility for my own life;

So that I can be free at last. 

 

Grant me courage to serve others;

For in service there is true life.

 

Give me honesty and patience;

So that I can work with other workers.

 

Bring forth song and celebration;

So that the spirit will be alive among us.

 

Let the spirit flourish and grow;

So we will never tire of the struggle.

 

Let us remember those who have died for justice;

For they have given us life.

 

Help us love even those who hate us;

So we can change the world.