Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,
Galatians 6:2
Our sense of community does not end once the Divine Liturgy is over. The Divine Liturgy sets the tone for how we are supposed to live the rest of our lives. One of the many reasons we should worship often is that it gives us a reminder of how we are supposed to live all the time, and that is leading with love.
One thing that many people think about Christianity in general and Orthodoxy specifically is that we aren’t allowed to have fun. In reflecting on the Divine Liturgy, and whether it speaks directly or indirectly to fun, here are a few thoughts:
The use of the word peace is prevalent in the Divine Liturgy. We begin each set of petitions with a petition for peace. We even pray “again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord,” that’s how important the concept of peace is. Peace in the world begins with within ourselves. And part of our internal peace comes with rest. There is nothing wrong with a day at the beach, or watching a movie, if these things provide a peace and calm that we can carry out into the world. One particular petition asks “For all that is good and beneficial to our souls.” Meaningful friendships and the opportunity to socialize and laugh fall under this petition. So does playing sports, grilling, playing a musical instrument and other things that people do for fun. All of these things contribute to a balanced life. The goal is to do all of these things under the umbrella of God. Drink, but not excessively. Talk with friends but don’t curse. Take time to rest without being idle for too long. Prayer and worship help keep us under this umbrella.
We’ve been discussing the concept of “Let us” and putting emphasis on community. Once the Divine Liturgy is over, we go back into our communities—our families, our neighborhoods, our friendships, and our workplaces. We need to bring the idea of “let us” into all of these places. Galatians 6:2 directs us to Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. The verses that immediately precede this one are about the Fruit of the Spirit—Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) St. Paul reminds us that there is no law against these things. It is never wrong to express ourselves with these fruits. In fact, they are the pillars of both a Godly person and a healthy community—a healthy family, a healthy marriage, a healthy work environment and of course a healthy church community.
Galatians 5:26 is a “let us” rallying cry as St. Paul writes Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. In a community where the Fruit of the Spirit are the cornerstones, there is no place for self-conceit, provocation or envy. Realizing that we will all fall to these three temptations, St. Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:1, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, let you too be tempted. Among the biggest burdens we carry, that we are supposed to be helped with as well as help others with is the burden of failure—whether that is a transgression, or a doubt, or a misstep. Part of bearing one another’s burdens is not only helping someone in their successes but also in their failures.
Once we recognize that we need community, and we recognize that others in the community need us, it becomes easier to live by the pillars of the Fruit of the Spirit and help those who need a lift. Even in our alone leisure time, we can recognize that our opportunity to recharge makes us better in our community.
One priest I know put a sign over the door of his church that read “the world, my church.” This reminds parishioners that the entire world is our community. And all of the “let us” from the Divine Liturgy—attend, love, thank, lift up—all of that applies to our life outside of the Liturgy.
Lord, thank You for my communities—my family, my church community, my work community, (any other communities you have). Help me to be a witness for You in all of my communities, to live out the Fruit of the Spirit, to offer any correction in a way that is gentle, to see the burdens of others and help to carry them. Help me to see the world as my community, and give me the eyes to see the needs in all of my communities each day. Please surround me with people who can also help me to bear my burdens, the humility to realize I need help in carrying them, and gentle correction from others when I fall short. Amen.
Let us encourage a sense of community in all of our “communities.” Let us love at all times. Life goes better for everyone when we come to a place where we think “we are all in this together.”
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