H2odevos eots 120111 “Go,
TELL!”
World Aids Day
“Go tell it on the mountain,
tell it on the street,
that Jesus Christ is
BORN!”
I normally try to write these devos about a day in
advance. On Wednesday morning I was out walking because there was a forecast of
significant snowfall for the Denver area for late Wednesday
night and early Thursday. As I walked around
Wash
Park I kept listening to Peter’s
fabulous rendition of “Go Tell It On the Mountain.” I got so carried away that I
was clapping and shouting “Go, Tell, Tell it on the Mountain, Tell it on the
Street, that Jesus Christ is Born!” The resident geese of the park who normally
scatter the runners, joggers, walkers and bikers with their incantations of
goose-speak and wild wing clapping stared at me in disbelief. Soon they took off
to “GO TELL!”
My good friend, Dr. Donald Messer has founded an amazing
ministry by the name of
The Center for Church and Global Aids, http://www.
One of his books is entitled, Breaking the Conspiracy
of Silence
In a recent interview (referenced at the bottom of these
next two quotes), he talks about why he wrote what he
did:
“My book was an attempt to express what I heard as God’s
cry for the marginalized around the world. I saw it academically as an essay in
practical theology, but I remember wondering, when I was writing it, if the
rhetoric was too shrill and maybe the publishers would tone it down. Fortunately
Fortress Press editors were very supportive—and to my surprise the book changed
my life! The response of readers led me to a seemingly endless series of
speaking engagements, writing assignments, AIDS Conferences, etc. I started a
501c3 charity.”
“I’m an idealist and it is not coincidental that my
favorite popular song is the “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La
Mancha. But I am also a realist and I believe it is possible to conquer
hunger and end AIDS in our lifetime. An AIDS-free and hunger-free world are my
mantra. What it will take is political will and compassion without borders. This
is not simply a romantic vision, but one embraced by scientists, economists,
politicians and other persons of goodwill around the world. These goals are not
simply within our reach, but also our grasp. Achieving this future is not
inevitable, but neither is it impossible. I feel fortunate to live at such a
moment in history when this vision is not just a utopian dream, but a realistic
possibility. And maybe my work will have contributed in some small
way.”
So one piece of the “GO TELL” theme for World Aids Day is
God’s cry for those who are suffering.
Often we pray for God to hear or listen to our cries or the cries of
those who are suffering. But, Don rightly turns the tables on us and invites us
to listen to God’s crying for the suffering. It is as if God is asking, “CAN YOU
HEAR ME
NOW?”
So, another piece of this day is for you and me to “GO
TELL” what is happening.
It is a time for you and me to stop being silent and
speak up and out for all people.
I am so proud of the efforts of the Center For Church and
Global Aids.
Full disclosure note- I serve on the Board of Directors.
Additionally, I am very grateful for the leadership of
the Evangelical
Lutheran
Church in
America and the
Episcopal Church. You can learn more about what people of faith are doing to “GO
TELL.”
When we celebrate the glorious news of Jesus being born
we can talk about anything!
Deck the halls,
rtg
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