Remembering Our Friends on World AIDS Day

This coming Saturday, December 1, is the annual observance of World AIDS Day.  On this day, my home parish will celebrate at a memorial service the life of one of our members who passed away on November 18.  Bob was HIVpositive, but, miraculously, he did not die of AIDS; he had a form of lung cancer which itself had been in remission for several years.  He is the second person among our congregation who has lived for years with the HIV virus, but been successfully treated with anti-retroviral medications.  Bob, almost 71 years old, had participated in clinical trials for the HIV meds and was the subject of medical journal articles following his lung cancer treatment; he bragged that he was down to "1 pill a day" to keep the HIV at bay.  The other gentleman, named Michael, lived to 79 and died suddenly of a heart attack while walking down a street in Munich, Germany.

In their memory, and to lift up HIV/AIDS patients everywhere, we offer these two prayers.  The first, "For a Cure" is original to the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition, found at www.NEAC.org .  The other, "A Prayer for Remembering" is adapted currently by NEAC, but it happens also to be one we were given many years ago by someone who took it from a Jewish prayer book to be offered by those grieving the loss of loved ones who had taken their own lives.  These prayers are available on the NEAC website in a form suitable for reproduction as prayer cards to be distributed.  Find them here: http://www.neac.org/resources/neac-prayer-cards .

 A Prayer for a Cure

 Oh Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, whose Name alone under heaven is given for health and salvation, enlighten those researchers, scientists, and technicians who seek a cure for AIDS and its related conditions; be present with them in their perplexity and, at last, prosper their efforts with such success that those who were without hope may rejoice and those who were considered dead may be raised up; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

 A Prayer for Remembering

In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
we remember them.

In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of the water,
we remember them.

In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.

In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.

In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.

In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
we remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.

When we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.

So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are a part of us,
and we remember them.

Amen.