World AIDs Day
World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, with an estimated 38.6 million people living with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million (between 2.8 and 3.6 million) lives in 2005 of which, more than half a million (570,000) were children. - Wikipedia
The problem of AIDs can seem distant to someone like me who's lucky enough to be untouched by it, and when I do turn my thoughts in that direction, it seems an overwhelming problem. The temptation is to look the other way. Let's not.
A Franciscan Prayer to Mark World Aids Day
Lord, make me an instrument of peace:
What concrete steps can we take to promote peace and reconciliation in situations of conflict, violence and sexual exploitation to help reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and promote a culture of peace and reconciliation?
Where there is hatred, let me sow love:
How can Franciscans and religious leaders create welcoming communities of faith for persons living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by AIDS and eliminate all instances of discrimination and social stigma?
Where there is injury, pardon:
Do we hold those who are living with HIV/AIDS as evil, immoral persons? How can we set them free and allow them to discover the face of God in their current situations?
Where there is division, unity:
Do our fears and prejudices lead us to commit acts of violence against our sisters and brothers living with HIV/AIDS?
Where there is darkness (untruth), light (truth):
Can we preach and speak about HIV/AIDS openly, exploring its origins, its impact, and the fears we have about it? Can we begin to speak the truth in the light, in our parish communities, our religious houses, and everywhere?
Where there is doubt, true faith:
Can we reach out to one another, particularly our brothers and sisters living with HIV/AIDS, in a way that restores faith in God? Can we draw upon the power of resurrection to remove all fears, fears of contagion that lead us to reject or withdraw our love and support from persons living with HIV/AIDS?
Where there is despair, hope:
How are we fostering communities of hospitality, receptivity, and healing where our brothers and sisters can find 'home', a place of welcoming and love.
Where there is sadness, new joy:
Do we recognize the power and grace in our brothers and sisters living with HIV/AIDS? Do we allow ourselves to be 'evangelized' and transformed by the witness of our sisters and brothers living with HIV/AIDS?
Read about how the Franciscans are responding to AIDs
posted by crystal | 6:58 PM
4 Comments:
Thanks for posting this, Crystal. I like the Franciscan Prayer. As I mentioned before, my aunt in Texas is a third-order Franciscan who helped take care of AIDS victims many years ago. I need to search within myself to see what I can do.
Thaks. I hope your aunt is doing ok.
Thanks for the post, Crystal. It brought to mind an exhibit developed by Catholic Relief Services on AIDS orphans (see www.thechildrenleftbehind.org.) It's a marvelous walk-through exhibit, showing in the Seattle area now through the end of January.
I spent almost a month in Africa last summer, and a lot my time connected with HIV/AIDS victims and their families. In the US it's mainly a disease confined to drug users and homosexuals; in Africa it's women and children who suffer the most. In Malawi alone there are around a million AIDS orphans, out of a total population of twelve million.
You're right, it does seem like an overwhelming problem. I really appreciate the Franciscan Prayer that you posted...I wish I had had it to share with my parishioners on/around Dec. 1st.
Hi Denny,
I've read that the fastest growing group with AIDs in Africa/Asia is that of married women ... maybe here too. That probably says something about biology and sociology. Nobody, no matter how they ended up with it, deserves to have AIDs. Thanks for the comment :-)
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