Catholic Commission for Social Justice
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
Today, Sunday, December 1, is World AIDS Day. The theme this year is: Communities make the difference.
“A record 38 million people are living with HIV…More than ever we need to harness the role of community‑led organisations that advocate for their peers, deliver HIV services, defend human rights and provide support…More than 23 million people living with HIV were receiving treatment in 2018” —UN Secretary‑General António Guterres.
In today’s Gospel reading (Jn 15: 9–17) we focus on the greatest commandment that Jesus gave us: “love one another, as I have loved you“. If we are to “remain” in Christ, we must follow this Commandment.
In May 2015, Pope Francis, on reflecting on this Gospel reading, said: “…true love is real, it is in the works it does, it is a constant love. It is not a mere enthusiasm…the works of love are what Jesus teaches us in the passage from the 25th chapter of St Matthew. He, who loves, does these things…even the Beatitudes, which are Jesus’ ‘pastoral plan’…There is no love without communicating…True love cannot isolate itself. If it is isolated, it is not love…To abide in the love of Jesus means doing things, it is, an ability to communicate, to dialogue, both with the Lord and with our brothers and sisters.”
Joint Regional Dialogue with Faith Leaders, Parliamentarians, Civil Society Leaders, National AIDS Programme Managers and Youth Leaders, April 24–25, 2018, Hyatt Hotel, Port of Spain
Today is the First Sunday of Advent; the beginning of a new liturgical year.
In the Angelus on this day in 2013, Pope Francis reminded us that “this day has a special charm; it makes us experience deeply the meaning of history. We rediscover the beauty of all being on a journey: the Church, with her vocation and mission, and all humanity, peoples, civilisations, cultures, all on a journey across the paths of time. But where are we journeying? Is there a common goal? And what is this goal?”
Today is World AIDS Day.
We can all be change agents in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Are we doing enough to reach out in love and compassion to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS? What more can we do e.g. as individuals, in our parishes and schools? Are we empowering our young people and adults to make informed choices, based on the tenets of our faith?