People respond to the epidemic in many ways -- some with indignation, some with fear, some with anger. All of these are understandable. But are they the best responses? Are they the Christian responses?

Indignation is a natural response. There is a moral dimension to the problem. Many innocent people have been infected with AIDS through blood transfusions and in other ways. Still, AIDS is being spread, in large part, by practices that most people regard as immoral, practices like both homosexual and heterosexual promiscuity and intravenous drug abuse.

Some Christians sincerely believe that AIDS is something God created to punish the homosexuals. They think it would be wrong to interfere with such a divine judgment. But that can't be right. If God worked in that way, we would all be in deep trouble for one reason or another. AIDS is simply a terrible illness and we should do all we can to cure it.

Even so, when people and societies find themselves suffering the tragic results of their own actions and life styles, the Bible teaches us to understand that as an experience of the judgment of God. If the AIDS epidemic is, at least in part, the result of a shallow, irresponsible, pleasure seeking life style, then it certainly should call us to some form of repentance. We should be thinking about a return to morality instead of just trying to learn how to have "safe sex."

Indignation is a natural and understandable response to AIDS. But it is not the way in which Jesus responded to the leper.

Other people respond to AIDS in fear. That too is a natural response. It is easy for us to make idealistic statements about how we should deal with AIDS. But, when it pushes its way into your life through an encounter with someone who is infected, fear is very likely to be a dimension of the response.

I recall the feeling I had when I first went into a hospital room to call on a young man who was dying of AIDS. I did not know the young man. I went because I had been asked to go by a friend. I went because I felt that it was important to make a compassionate response to a person who was dying. I knew the facts about AIDS. I knew that I was in no danger. I knew that the surgical gown and mask I wore were for his protection, not mine. But, when the visit was over and it was time for me to pray, when I reached out to take his hand, I found myself having to overcome some real inner resistance. I was afraid.

I can understand the panic that ensued in a certain community when people learned that a child who had been infected with AIDS by a blood transfusion had been registered in their school. I understand why there are two sides to the confidentiality issue. People who might be at risk have a right to know when a threat is present. Yet, if they know, will fear make them do terrible things to people who are already suffering too much? Whatever response we make to the AIDS epidemic, we will have to own and overcome our fear. Fear is a natural response to AIDS but Jesus did not respond to the leper in fear.