Beth and I enjoyed keeping Dr. Anna Griffith last weekend. She ministers to people who are HIV positive or have AIDS.  Anna asked why we don’t hear more about AIDS in our churches.  Is it taboo? Do we feel that it’s not relevant?

Are we afraid that if we start talking about AIDS that we might have someone show up who has it? Then those who don’t might leave, especially the big financial givers, or our friends?

Jesus demonstrated that the gospel is messy. It’s messy because it makes us confront people and ideas that we’re not comfortable with. God’s love led Jesus into interaction with the leprous and the sexually immoral.  His reputation was frequently tarnished by his company and outrageous love.

 Why talk about AIDS? Why seek out someone with AIDS? Do we need Jesus to come again and answer that question for us?