Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2 NIV)

“Burdens” signify all that can bear heavily on somebody, be it their mistake, some sin, particularity or foible. Perhaps it also includes those things that we would summarize under  “antipathy”. Even if only sins were targeted here, it would still include enough admonition to bear these with peaceful forbearance and such promise could strengthen the will and heart of the weak. Whoever bears these burdens patiently fulfills the law of Christ. Christ’s law is no hard or threatening, but rather a holy rule of life which was revealed in his word’s and blessed example. The Sum and pinnacle of this law is the joyful endurance of other’s mistakes, faults and shortcomings – all those things that even Christians view as burdensome and taxing. Therefore we should not just withdraw ourselves as some lonesome recluse, isolating ourselves in self-satisfied sanctuary of our own choosing, but rather seek the fellowship and communion of other Christians – weak, stressed, afflicted, sinful and hurting like ourselves – seeking sanctification and healing together. Even if this means bearing some or other burden, we should recognize this as holy calling and remember that we too give more than our fair share of burdens to others to carry also. It is a sign of true spirituality and wholesome attitude if we are patient and forbearing to those, who burden us with weights and loads and troubles.

Merciful and gracious God! Invigorate us with the Spirit of your love and mercy so that we would serve each other and bear each others burdens, troubles and sorrows too. Bless the orders of civil society and all humanitarian care and welfare – and those in our congregation and church. Let us experience your truth that it is far more blessed to give than to receive. Strengthen our love that will not be embittered. You are such a rich God: Grant us all that we need for our souls to flourish and that we would confess joyfully and truthfully: I lack nothing for you refresh my soul even as I pass through death’s dark vale I fear no ill, for you are with me. Amen.  

Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear.

From sorrow, toil and pain, And sin, we shall be free, And perfect love and friendship reign Through all eternity. (John Fawcett 1772)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the fifteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 323 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.