We live in a society that appears to be far more interested in rights than responsibilities. Rights are clearly crucial. The right to free speech, health, safety, care and justice are fundamental to society. However, none of them will ever happen unless we are all willing to take responsibility. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks powerfully put it: “Without responsibility, rights are a cheque on an empty account.” Here, Paul describes the Church as a community of people, each of whom needs to take responsibility for carrying other people’s burdens. He had no thought of the Church as being there for us to gain inspiration and support so that we can live independent lives.

Sharing other people’s burdens doesn’t happen quickly. It is a tragedy that for so many people, the experience of Church is confined to attending worship services. Good as it is to worship with other people, such occasions are rarely an opportunity to get to know people well, let alone learn what their burdens are. Having refreshments and meals alongside worship can start to open up opportunities to get to know others, but it is normally only in small groups or one-to-one conversations that such deep sharing takes place. I am delighted to hear that some people are using these daily devotional thoughts as a basis for meeting with a small group of people. As they meet, it gives an opportunity to share the joys and struggles of life and to give real support to one another.

Paul identifies one of the reasons why you might not want to help someone else: you think you are too important. However, there’s another reason why you might not feel able to help, and it’s probably more common: you think you are too unimportant and assume that you would never be able to help. We all need to be willing. Willing to listen and to learn and to stretch out a hand to help.

In what ways are you able to bear other people’s burdens?

Loving God, thank you for those people who have been so willing to support me. Help me to always be willing to stretch out a hand to help others. Amen