Burdens

Most people carry burdens of one kind or another, very often imposed by others. Jesus is clear that our relationship with God is not intended to be another burden on a burdened people. Among the burdens Jesus carried was that imposed by those who were hostile to all he stood for. He was at his most burdened as he hung from the cross. He carried that burden so that he could help us to carry our own burdens. Through his life, death and resurrection, he released into the world the power of God’s love, the power of the Holy Spirit, a lifegiving, enabling power. Saint Paul was burdened as he wrote to the church in Philippi from his prison cell. Yet he could say, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13). The Lord strengthens us to carry our burdens so that we can help to carry those of others. As Paul writes to the churches of Galatia, ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ’ (Galatians 6:2). The law of Christ, which is the law of love, the fruit of the Spirit, is not about imposing burdens but about lifting them.

Martin Hogan, The Word is Near You, on Your Lips and in Your Heart