Back in 1918, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which had opened just a year earlier. Howard had polio and wore heavy leg braces. Walking was difficult for him, especially when he had to go up and down steps. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Rueben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard. Rueben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father…he’s my brother.”

In Romans 15, Paul continues to encourage the Roman church to “bear the weakness of those without strength.” He puts the burden on the strong to welcome, show grace and even carry their brothers and sisters in Christ who are continuing to grow in their faith. That’s not the world’s way. In the world might makes right. The mighty and strong bully people into their position. But not in the church. We bear one another’s burdens. We don’t just put up with our brother; if needed we carry him. We willingly lay down our rights and responsibilities to serve the body. And the burdens we carry and the sacrifices we make are always light as we remember, “He’s not heavy, he is my brother.”

I look forward to seeing you this weekend as we continue and near the end of our study in Romans. This weekend we will also participate in the ordinance of communion and remember the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray you will make the decision today to join us for one of our many weekend worship opportunities.

In Christ,
Pastor Chad McDonald

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