This world is full of people experiencing many hardships and burdens. Today's passage reminds us that we must share and bear one another's burdens. As faithful believers, we all have two common purposes on this earthly journey: to serve and glorify God!

One shared ministry among all believers is to help one another, both practically and spiritually. Living out our common ministry calling requires both sacrifice and commitment. To accomplish this, we must have an acute awareness of others' needs.

Friends, how can we pray and share one another's burdens if we are not sensitive to what they are facing? First, ask the Holy Spirit to help you tune into the struggles of others. Second, we must accept other believers as Jesus accepted us. That means being willing to share others' burdens, no matter who they are.

Helping others is rarely easy or convenient. The Lord directs and delivers the priceless ministry of presence through each of us only if we are willing to surrender to His command to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Bearing another's burden fulfills the law of Christ and it fills our hearts with joy!

Onward and Upward + Fr. Greg