Reflection: Bearing Burdens and St. Paul's Pantry

By Fr. Wesley Walker

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

One of the most compelling Scriptural depictions of the Church is somatic: we are the Body of Christ (Rom 12:4–8; 1 Cor 12:12–27; Eph 3:6; 4:15–16; 5:23; Col 1:18, 24). This genius metaphor allows for St. Paul to emphasize the vocation, gifts, and contributions of the individual member of the body while also maintaining a strong emphasis on unity. Your hand is not your foot, but they are both part of you. Further, the Body that is the Church finds its unity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, its head.

You are a body and a soul. No one sees your soul, however. We only see the a person’s body. Bodies are sacramental then because they visibly express an invisible reality. Just as your body expresses who you are, so the Body of Christ expresses who he is. We are the hands and feet of Christ, showing him to the world and to other members of the Body.

Our organic unity as the Body means that the health of the individual member and the health of the collective are intricately tied together. "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad" (1 Cor 12:26). This entails solidarity between the members, as St. Paul instructs in Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

For these reasons, I am excited about a new ministry we’re launching here at St. Paul’s that we’re calling St. Paul’s Pantry (see Lynn's announcement above). The goal is for us to be able to provide meals for members of our parish who may be ill, injured, or otherwise unable to cook meals. As many have learned from experience, being a caregiver can feel overwhelming and isolating. We hope and pray that this ministry will work to care for those in need and help us better come alongside those in tough situations. We want to bear each others burdens.

Here’s what this looks like practically. I was able to acquire a freezer that will go in the shed behind the church. We’re hoping to collect frozen meals that we can store there. When an emergency happens and a family may need meals, we will coordinate with them and make sure they’re provided for. If you feel led, you’re welcome to prepare a frozen meal and bring it by the church! And remember, this isn’t just a meal, it’s an opportunity to share God’s love with those in our parish community who are in need of prayer, support, and care.