Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. … So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:2 & 10
The one who does not turn aside from the calamities of others, will not suffer even in his own misfortunes, because that person has learned and exercised themselves in sympathy.
The one who will not bear the griefs of another through such sympathy, will learn all measures of sorrow in himself alone.
In the case of some bodily disease, or when the foot is badly injured, if the hand does not share itself in sympathy by cleansing the wound – washing away discharge, and applying a bandage – the hand will share a like disease or injury of its own.
So he who will not share himself in service to another when he himself is not afflicted, will have to bear his sufferings alone.
For the evil in a person that refuses to share and serve those who are suffering, that same evil will spread to that person’s own suffering, making it most lonely and bitter. The time of sharing the burdens will have passed because such a person is overcome by the bitter loneliness of their own burden.
The one who refuses to share themselves so as to relieve those who are suffering, will be a lonely sufferer himself.
The one who does not turn aside from the calamities of others, will not suffer even in his own misfortunes, because that person has learned and exercised themselves in sympathy.
The one who will not bear the griefs of another through such sympathy, will learn all measures of sorrow in himself alone.
In the case of some bodily disease, or when the foot is badly injured, if the hand does not share itself in sympathy by cleansing the wound – washing away discharge, and applying a bandage – the hand will share a like disease or injury of its own.
So he who will not share himself in service to another when he himself is not afflicted, will have to bear his sufferings alone.
For the evil in a person that refuses to share and serve those who are suffering, that same evil will spread to that person’s own suffering, making it most lonely and bitter. The time of sharing the burdens will have passed because such a person is overcome by the bitter loneliness of their own burden.
The one who refuses to share themselves so as to relieve those who are suffering, will be a lonely sufferer himself.
St. John Chrysostom
