Written by the Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok
for www.soulfoodministry.org readers
This reflection was originally titled "Love Made Personal" and was published in Open Hands: Shaping an Inclusive Church. Summer 2001. Vol. 17. P. 14.
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7 NRSV
I met love made personal on Holy Saturday 2001 through eight panels of the world famous AIDS Memorial Quilt. A Unitarian Church along with the County Health District, OUTKitsap, PFLAG and the West Olympic Council for the Arts had sponsored the exhibit. I was invited to provide an indoor labyrinth for viewers. The labyrinth would provide a safe contemplative walking space for visitors to be with their feelings and thoughts as they gazed at the hanging panels of the Quilt made by friends, lovers and family members.
I had seen the immensity of the Quilt when displayed in the Washington DC Mall in October 1996. It provided a dramatic testimony of the devastating and tragic loss of life in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. I remember being overwhelmed at seeing so many names, with so many endearing photos and other memorabilia which honored individuals who have died of AIDS.
Yet I was also deeply touched with our local exhibit while lingering in the labyrinth and gazing closely at the Quilt. "He was born, he lived a little, and then he died." "I am a better man for having known him." "Beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend." "We cared about each other." "He was our sunshine." A grieving father later approached me and introduced me to his beloved son's panel. I listened as he spoke of how much his son meant to him and how he still missed him years later. Later in the afternoon, a grieving sister introduced me to her beloved brother's panel with tears glistening in her eyes. Through them, I met love made personal.
I left that afternoon awed at all the love experienced. Love is the greatest life force the world will ever know. As long as we remember the names of loved ones, we honor their lives and belovedness in our hearts.
Prayer: Help each reader live his or her belovedness, O God. Amen.
About the author: Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok is an UFMCC minister serving an international community of seekers through www.soulfoodministry.org.
For more details about the AIDS Memorial Quilt, visit www.aidsquilt.org.
For more information about labyrinths, visit www.labyrinthsociety.org.