Shared lives together

Some weeks ago I was asked to give infrot of a small group of voluntary and fulltime social church workers a, "Theological Reflection regarding the Issue of HIV/ Aids. While I am not really well-versed and informed about it, I tried my best and this was the result:

Most of us are at least affected (if not infected) by the pandemic of HIV/ Aids. In the beginning I would like to recall two significant events regarding the issue in my personal life:

Several years ago I was invited to visit an HIV/Aids orphanage (Kalaphong Hospital - Mohau Centre) where I had the opportunity to spend time and play with children affected/infected by the virus. The joy, hope and love those children shared with me overwhelmed me. Through this encounter I was convinced that God especially loves and cares for those who suffer in this world (the poor, needy, sick and marginalized). At the same time I was broken by the reality of unjust suffering in this world.

Another very challenging incident was the death of a 4 year old orphan (Vincent) who was born HIV positive, he basically suffered his whole life because of Aids, eventually he was adopted by some friends I know but unfortunately eventually lost his personal fight against this sickness. As I participated in the funeral, I saw the huge compassion of people around the mourning family. I as well experienced the beauty of engaging in each others lives as we are called by God to love one another (John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10 and 13:8).

Sharing live together regarding the issue of HIV/ Aids – what does that actually mean?

Rev. Cheryl Jones critically reflects on the only partially prevention reality of the HIV/Aids pandemic:
In reviewing new developments as well as old issues and innovative ways to address them, it seems very little has changed. Education and awareness campaigns are widespread, testing and counselling centres are everywhere; ARV treatments continue to be free of charge; yet little having to do with HIV and AIDS as a pandemic has changed. Infection rates remain high, infected babies and children continue to be abandoned on hospitals or, worse yet, on the streets. Affected children must still fend for themselves in child-headed households. Stigma
And discrimination remain major factors that keep well-informed men and women from testing or, God forbid, from disclosing their HIV+ status to loved ones.

(Jones, Cheryl 2010. “The Role of the Church in the Care & Prevention of Those infected and Affected by HIV & AIDS” for BCSA HIV & AIDS Desk AGM; JHB)


As I grappled with the issue theologically I have read several articles regarding the issue in the past weeks and found some interesting insights I would like to share. I would like to do that in light of a well known scripture:

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

1) The Church
Peter Okaalet challenged the role of the church regarding HIV/ Aids as he writes:

- Understanding of the church
We think of church in variety of ways
…sacramentally, as the Body of Christ
…congregation to which we belong
…administrative, co-ordinating body that leads the faithful or adjudicates on matters of faith…
But whichever of these institutional models we have in mind when we talk about church, they all have one characteristic: they are there to STAY.

This statement makes one thing clear, no matter how we understand the church the idea that the local church has permanent agenda – comprehensive, ongoing and sustaining. Also the ministries I know who have an high impact on their surrounding communities are usually those who stay for the long run.

- Role of the church
“It can sensitize people to the existence of HIV and the risks it presents, and it can share with them its educational messages. Most important, it can give to people that most empowering of gifts, namely accurate, scientific, correct information.”

I believe that the church has an important role to play in the society. We still have a VOICE - the challenge is HOW we use it. Do we brake down (complain, criticise and condemn) or do we uplift (inform, engage and encourage)? There are many ways to uplift through sharing a message of hope and love, teaching creative (through drama and music), getting involved in community service regarding HIV/ Aids…

- A so called “Aids-competent Church”
An AIDS-competent Church is first and foremost one tht turns its back on denial and acknowledges the reality and enormity of the problem of AIDS. It is a Church that knows its own strengths and weaknesses, and uses its strengths as a starting point for a called up response. It is a Church that recognizes vulnerability and risk and works to reduce them. It is a learning Church that listens and shares; a Church that has zero tolerance for stigma and discrimination; a Church is whose ministry people living with HIV or AIDS are playing a central part. It is a Church that is living out its full potential, both as an organisation and as a congregation.

(Oaaklet Peter, “Behaviour change and the role of the church: Towards reducing and eliminating risk” in HIV Prevention: A Global Theological Conversation. P.82-84)


2) All the believers had everything in common - Keep the city gates wide open
Terry A Veling writes uses an interesting illustration:
The biblical writings contain many references to the gates of the city. The hospitality of the ancient city was extended to the stranger by meeting them at the gate (Gen. 19:1-2). Public markets were typically held at the gate (2 Kings 7:1), as its surrounding spaces were kept wide to allow for the movement and traffic of people, unlike the narrow and winding streets inside. The city gate was also the place of justice where the elders sat at court. “Hate evil and love good, and establish justice at the city gate” (Amos 5:15; Deut. 21:19; Prov. 21:23…)

Life was shared together and still is TODAYt, but Veling suggests that “…while we seek…friendship, there is a troubling sense in which we live in “gated communities”… We do not dwell together in complete openness; rather, we dwell together via a network of doorways that continually open and close.”

(Veling, Terry A 2005. “Practical Theology – On Earth as it is in Heaven”. New York: Orbis Books. P.178-180)

We open and close doors at home, at work, in a supermarket, schools universities, hospitals, churches… - doors that continually open and close in an effort to monitor those who have access and those who are denied.

Regarding this understanding of city gates:
Which kind of people are the access to our church doors denied and which kind of people are accepted? Let’s take this further, which kind of people has access to our houses? Which kind of people have access to our personal lives?


3) Wonders and signs – Healing and the sick
- Healing was central in Jesus ministry, and it is still important for many today. Ronald Nicolson states, “They cling for hope for healing. These cases show that, while it is important to understand the medical side of HIV/Aids, the spiritual side is equally important.”

(Nicolson, Ronald. God in AIDS; p.42)

- People living with HIV/Aids have to live with the reality of “being sick” and therefore on the verge of society in several spheres:
Physical illnesses,
Emotional loneliness,
Economical uncertainty
and outcasts of society.

At least 39 times the sick or sickness is mentioned in the life of Jesus (in the four Gospels) alone. This shows the significance and importance in Jesus ministry on the helpless, outcast and marginalized.

Here are two of many examples:
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”(Matthew 9:12)
”When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)

Jesus theology was different, he acted accordingly to the fathers will (John 5:43; 6:40) and engaged over and over with the needy, poor, sick and outcast. He truly loved and embraced them. We as His Body – the church - what is our motivation to reach out to the sick?
Self-gratification, funding from the government, affirmation by church leaders or sincere compassion for those who suffer in this world.


4) From distance to closeness

Musa W Dube gave a radical but defining statement, “The church has AIDS,” she continues, “Jesus Christ himself has Aids, for the church is the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)”

(Chitando, Ezra (ed) 2008. “Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in Theological Education: Experiences and Explorations”; WCCC Publications (Geneva) p.89)

We are one, if one of us celebrates – all celebrate, if one suffers all suffer and if one of us is HIV+ - all of us are HIV+.

And Isabel Apawo Phiri mentions a change of theological approach from punishment to solidarity: “…Africa is now exploring new ways of reading and interpreting the Bible that equip the church to move away from a theology of HIV/Aids as a punishment from God to a theology of God who is in solidarity with the HIV/Aids-affected and infected people…”

(Phiri, Isabel Apawo 2011. “HIV/AIDS: an African theological response in mission”[Online] Available: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2065/is_4_56/ai_n15944461)

Through these two statements we can clearly see one thing:
God is a God of closeness not of distance. In the issue of HIV/Aids he suffers, cries and feels with those who are in agony and pain. If God is close should not we as a church get rid of all prejudice, fear and anxiety and come close to all affected and infected by HIV/ Aids?

Conclusion
So what now, where does the church go from here?

I would like to conclude with Isabel Apawo Phiris challenge:
“What is required from the church, the body of Christ, is commitment to fight against the spread of the virus with all the available resources. Presenting a God of compassion rather than a God of wrath is central when dealing with the infected and affected. Jesus came to establish the reign of God on earth. It is the responsibility of the church to work in conjunction with God to realize the reign of God now as the church continues to hope for the final realisation of the reign of God for the whole creation and the whole human community. While HIV/Aids brings fear and desperate actions, the message of the church should continue to promote life in all its fullness.”