Vestry Devotional: "Bearing One Another's Burdens"

Galatians 6:1-5

My brothers and sisters, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill[a] the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads.

An aunt of mine was notorious for overpacking her suitcase with things that she probably wouldn’t need and would certainly be able to find at our destination. Her bag was enormous, but she was never asked to carry it. Instead, being the good nephew, I dragged it everywhere we went along with my luggage. I don’t think this is what St. Paul had in mind when he said that we should bear one another’s burdens. 

Living in a faith community is challenging because each of us carries burdens that no one ever sees. They can be burdens related to our work, our family, our health, or our faith. Sharing those burdens means putting trust in our brothers and sisters in Christ. It means that we can be vulnerable and open about our struggles. Bearing our burdens alone almost always ends in being crushed by them. We lash out at others and isolate ourselves. Living in the Spirit means following the example of Jesus, who was gentle with those who loved him and those who hated him. 

As a vestry, we have been tasked with modeling what it looks like to bear one another’s burdens. We listen to one another with compassion and without judgment. And we are open to receiving help from others. What are the burdens you are carrying? How can we bear another’s burdens? How do we create a community where we all lean on each other?