A prayer called Red
This reflection will work best with two voices: the first voice beginning the reflection and the second voice speaking the section in italics. During the silences some action might be utilised, such as the lighting of candles on an altar or central table, or the pinning of red ribbons on a board or central display.
Red ... the colour of extremes – from danger to love, from violence to adventure, from seduction to anger,
from a loving heart to a wounded body.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we identify with those who live with the extremes of HIV.
(Silence)
Red ... the colour of life –
fire, and vigour, and purpose,
primal forces and basic energy,
the morning sky and the setting sun, the beating heart and flowing blood.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we remember those who cling preciously to the preciousness of life.
(Silence)
The Colour of Love 4
Red ... the colour of magic and religion – Greek heroism and Christian crucifixion, scarves for good fortune throughout Asia, saris for marriages in Nepal, kimonos for good luck in Japan.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we reflect on those who look for good fortune through their chosen life-stance.
(Silence)
Red ... the colour of direction –
Stop signs and danger warnings,
sex-for-sale and a fall in stock market prices, socialism and slipping into debt,
the hazard-indicator and the brake lights of a car.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we show support for those who seek to direct people to a better understanding.
(Silence)
Red ... the colour of standing out –
British phone boxes and London buses,
Santa Claus and the circus clown,
the Palace Guard and the fiery cross,
the red, red robin that’s still bob bob bobbin’ along.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we rally alongside those who stand firm for justice, and equity, and an end to prejudice.
(Silence)
The Colour of Love 5
Red ... the colour of power –
the business tie and the celebrity-trod carpet,
the badge of courage and the airborne display team, paratroopers and politics,
national flags and military police.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we pray for those who seek the power of peace to change the world for the better.
(Silence)
Red ... the colour of description –
the herring and the town to be painted,
those tired eyes from an overnight flight,
the flag in a Communist anthem,
the ruby, the Cross and Crescent, the reindeer’s nose.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we weep with those who would offer us a vivid description of their pain and suffering.
(Silence)
Red ... the colour of love –
the heart on a Valentine’s Card,
the bunch of birthday roses,
the romantic lighting in an intimate place, the first colour of a rainbow.
And a red ribbon stands out on World AIDS Day – as we offer love for those who have none; our love ... because, on World AIDS Day, love has to stand out above all else.
© Tom Gordon
from ‘The Colour of Love - Resources for World AIDS Day’ Wild Goose Publications
www.ionabooks.com