Today is World AIDS Day. Steve Camp has posted a Biblical call to help people with AIDS:
It is a day to remember those who are infected with the AIDS virus--those who are HIV positive. It is a day to reflect on how little we as Christians have done in regards to this important issue and need to be doing from a biblical world view in precept and practice. It is a day to repent of our sins; both of apathy and promiscuity.
Two megachurch pastors expressed regret this week for not responding sooner:
Megachurch pastors Bill Hybels and Rick Warren both expressed their deep regrets for not joining the fight against HIV/AIDS sooner as they partner to call the Church to quickly take action in the battle against one of the world’s greatest humanitarian emergencies.
Bill Hybels, senior pastor of the 18,000-membered Willow Creek Church in South Barrington, Ill., and Rick Warren of the 20,000-membered Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. both began their sessions Tuesdays with apologies for their lack of awareness and response to the pandemic that is expected to kill 93 million people by 2010.
“Willow would be on the list of churches to get it too late,” reflected Hybels. “As I look back, I take full responsibility for this. Our church just celebrated its 30th anniversary last month. I have to live with that. I confess it. I believe it is covered with the cross but it is a mystery to me why I didn’t get it.”
Similarly, Warren lamented during the opening session, “A few years ago I had to repent. How did I miss this? What were the blinders on my eyes? You can’t just care about people spiritually but you have to tend to people physically too.”
...“The church has been missing in action. If we are the Body why aren’t we ministering with the whole Body?” he asked.
(Via Monday Morning Insight Weblog)
It is a day for reflection and repentance, a day to think about how we can do better in the future.
If Jesus Christ were on earth you'd find him in a gay bar in San Francisco. He'd be working with people suffering from AIDS. These people are the new lepers. just like the turn of BC / AD. Don't touch them, walk away from them. If you want to find out where Jesus would be hanging out, it'll always be with the lepers. - Bono, U2
Agree we have let the ball slip on HIV/AIDS, and remember at the initial diagnosis in the US of some evangelicals calling it "the wrath of God" on the gay lifestyle.
Even worse, there are millions of AIDS orphans in Africa today - whole nations are in danger of loosing their culture because there just aren't enough adults around to pass it on to the children. You can check out http://www.onevillagefoundation.org for more details.
Live large!
I think some people with AIDS are like lepers from Jesus' world and some people with AIDS are more like prostitutes from Jesus' world because of entrenched immorality. But on both counts Jesus would hang out with them and serve them with great compassion. My friend has AIDS and she's now stopped her life of sin but hanging with her and helping her was never in question.