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World AIDS Day

AIDS. Back in the ’80’s and even into the ’90’s, AIDS was on the forefront of our concern. We were scared of AIDS. And the association of AIDS with homosexuality made it all the more notorious and fearsome. But in this country, through treatment and education and hygienic practices in the medical field, the incidence of AIDS has decreased. We are no longer afraid of this once-dreaded disease. It is not decimating our communities. So, we are not as concerned about AIDS as we once were.

But in Africa, AIDS remains a devastating reality. It is the leading cause of death among African teenagers. The number of teens dying from AIDS related diseases has tripled since the year 2000. These statistics come from UNICEF. [Tampa Bay Times, 11/28/15, 4A]

Does this concern us?  Sometimes it seems like when there is a problem in another country or continent, we’re at the ready with military support – guns, bombs, and drones – in spite of the material and personnel costs involved. Do we just love to use our armed forces?

Addressing AIDS takes education, medication, training, and medical personnel. It takes medical care, equipment, and transportation. Relative to a military response, the cost is minimal. And yet, where is our motivation to respond? Well, what has AIDS in Africa to do with us? It doesn’t affect our daily lives. It doesn’t disrupt our living. We can completely avoid it: Just don’t go to Africa and have sex with someone African and you should be ok.

If AIDS among African teens was affecting our access to oil, now then we might get excited about it. We might even send in the military to help.

To be peacemakers, we really need to notch up our empathy dials. Jesus shows us that peace involves caring about the suffering of others even when it does not affect us directly. Sometime, the pain will be ours, and we will be grateful that someone else cares.

Take a moment to think of a time that you were moved by the suffering of a remote stranger, someone you do not know personally.

Prayer: Our faith teaches us that we are one human family. We pray for all of our brothers and sisters whose lives are affected by AIDS.  May we open our hearts to the pain of others even those we do not know. May we seek to increase our capacity for empathy trusting that it will deepen our humanity in ways that are healing and bring peace to us and to the world. Amen.

Some weeks ago, we went to see the movie, “The Martian.” The experience offered an odd juxtaposition. The previews before the movie were the usual action packed, shoot ‘em up violence that is supposed to make the movies featured look enticing and appealing. As usual, they were filled with gratuitous violence. Underlying all of this violence is a low regard for human life or maybe we should say a blatant disregard for the value of human life.

Then came the feature movie. “The Martian.”  I won’t give away the story, but the plot is focussed on getting one human being back to Earth from Mars. Other astronauts and scientists at NASA are all giving 200%, working around the clock, to save this one life. In desperation, the US even seeks help from China for the attempted rescue.

In the movie, as the rescue attempt is made, there are shots of masses of people the world over watching on big screens. The effort to bring one lone person back from Mars has captivated the world. Needless to say, the people in the theater are on the edge of their seats as well.

What I found puzzling was that the previews were filled with violence aimed at killing, taking life. And then we watch “The Martian” about the world mobilized to save one life. The popularity of the movie, “The Martian,” tells me that we still have the capacity to value a life. To work together for good. To express compassion. And to be united by a common bond as human beings.

This seems to indicate that we still have the capacity for peace. Despite the constant killings, bombings, shootings, and war that we hear about each and every day, we have not completely lost the heart to value a life, as precious, mysterious, and sacred.

This leads me to believe that peace may still be possible.

Take a moment to think about something you have experienced recently that indicates to you that peace is still possible in this world.

Prayer: May I remember that each and every person is created in the image of God. May I value every life as God does. May I live today in a way that honors the sacredness of each person I come in contact with. This is how Jesus lived. This is how I want to live. Amen.

In the beginning, God –

Our holy writings begin with stories that give an account of the creation of the cosmos. We are told of water brooded over by wind. From this roiling darkness emerges day and night, in a repeating pattern. Land and sea, skies and rain, sun and stars emerge. And, finally LIFE! Swarming, swimming, flying, walking, creeping, multiplying. A profusion of diversity, adapting and interacting, pulsing with pattens and cycles.

From the beginning, creation is dynamic and vibrant. It is an expression of passion and energy. Creation is not static, still, and unchanging. It is throbbing. Like our bodies which have thousands of ongoing biological processes taking place simultaneously with little conscious input from us, so creation is like a huge, dynamic organism with untold processes taking place.

As we think about wonder-full peace this Advent season, we remember that peace is a dynamic, passionate, energetic convergence of processes and people. Peace is not when everything stops. Stands still. Dead. It is when everything is alive in a dynamic, vibrant living, flourishing whole.

Take a moment to think about when you have witnessed the dynamism of peace.

Prayer: May I remember that since the beginning, creation is a vast, wild, living expression of Divine peace. This day, may I notice signs of the thriving cosmos that point to dynamic peace. May our souls magnify God for God has done great things! Amen.