Given By Rev. Madison Shockley November 19, 2017
Today is World AIDS Sunday. We are proud to participate in this important day. We refuse to stay silent and honor all those who are living with and have died from this terrible disease. We work hard to remove the stigma this disease still carries. The reading today reminds us to look around and acknowledge everyone. This text forms the foundation for the social gospel movement, the liberal theology movement, and the progressive theology movement. Jesus told his followers that if you cared for the least of these, then you have cared for me. Ignorance is not an excuse. We have an obligation as Christians to seek out those who are hurting, helpless, and need our support. We must move out of our comfort zones and into the margins of society. During the beginning of this disease, those with HIV and AIDS were on the margins of society. There are still places where this is true. Society was slow to respond. This was and is the front-line for Christians though. We treat them as our brothers and sisters. Ours is a ministry of visibility. We see you wherever you are!