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The burden that others bear

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

Maximos Pafilis, Bishop of Melitene (translation from the original Greek text)

Homily on the Gospel according to Matthew 9:1-8

In the Gospel pericope of the sixth Sunday of Matthew, we see the power of friendship. The power of those who love us and which can lead us to truth and salvation. Some lifted him, it says, without questions and credentials. This is the first event of the pericope, before every word and every miracle, a man is carried by others, “lying on a bed” (Matt. 9:2). The participle has its own harshness, it says “cast down”, that is, thrown upon the bed, just as you leave something that you no longer expect to be of use for anything. How many years his immobility lasted, the narrative does not reveal. It leaves us, however, to understand clearly that no miracle did he himself ask for, not a word did he say. They carried him. The movement towards Christ was made with foreign feet.

Hope rarely dies abruptly, it wanes, as the light diminishes in a room whose windows no one opens anymore. The paralytic of the Gospel had reached, as it seems, that inward region where man ceases to expect, and this cessation is a sickness deeper than the paralysis of the limbs.…

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Сергей Петров

It is interesting that the evangelist directly writes “lying on the bed” and this is “prostrate.” After a stroke, my uncle lay in the same way for six months, he had almost no hope, and his friends and we dragged him to the doctors. It turns out that sometimes you can’t go anywhere without other people’s legs.

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ირაკლი აბაშიძე

Indeed, to be led by "foreign feet" calls very strongly. My neighbor also had a stroke, he almost couldn't stand up anymore, but family and friends carried him with the miracle worker. It finally worked. Strange feet sometimes awaken our own hope.

Анна Бондаренко

I also had a patient after a stroke, she was lying like that "defeated" on the bed, and she didn't say anything. Her daughter took her every day in a wheelchair to church, and then to the hospital. And then little by little she began to sit, and later she began to walk. Other people's feet are really sometimes the first to move when they no longer believe their own.

Олег Бондаренко

Yes, Anna, it is good that her daughter did not abandon her, but drove her every day. I have a neighbor in my garden who, after the same thing, lay down for months, and then gradually began to get up when her husband carried her to a bench under a pear tree. Other people's feet are sometimes really the first to believe. Did your patient completely recover afterwards?

Васил Костов

Yes, just as it says - "bedridden". My aunt, after a stroke, lay like that for almost a year without speaking, and my wife and her daughter and I used to push her to church with the stroller. Without these "foreign legs", nothing would have happened.

Иван Марков

Yes, Vasile, that's exactly how it is with these "foreign legs". Last year, my older daughter helped me wheel an old neighbor to the church after an operation - he wouldn't be able to move without her. I'm glad your aunt had you by her side.

George Miller

My uncle after his stroke lay there for months just like that “cast down” on the bed, not saying a word. My wife and I took turns wheeling him to church every Sunday until he started to sit up again. Funny how those foreign feet really do carry the hope when your own have given up.

Елена Белова

After a stroke, my mother-in-law lay like this for almost a year, “prostrate in bed,” and had almost no hope. Her sons took turns taking her to church in a wheelchair, although she didn’t say a word. Without these alien legs, I probably wouldn’t have gotten up slowly.

Наталія Руденко

Yes, Anna, it's good that her daughter didn't leave her, but drove her. I also had a friend who, after a stroke, was lying silently, and her mother-in-law read the Psalter to her every day at the bedside - and over time she began to move her fingers at least. And your patient then got to the church by herself, or did she stay in the wheelchair?

Elizabeth Baker

My neighbor after her stroke lay just like that “cast down” on the bed for months, not saying a word. Her son used to wheel her to the Saturday vigil every week even when she seemed to have given up, and little by little she started sitting through the whole service. Those foreign feet really do carry more than we think.

Дмитрий Васильев

Yes, I definitely noticed about the “defeated”. After a stroke, my matchmaker also almost didn’t get up for six months; my wife, son and I carried him to the clinic in our arms. Without such “alien legs” I would really be lost. How is your uncle now, has he recovered?

Іван Савченко

Yes, Oleg, it is a good thing that the man did not leave her and carried her to that bench under the pear tree - these are exactly those other people's legs that the bishop is talking about. My daughter also told me how one grandmother, after a stroke, at first only looked out the window, and then, when they started taking her to kindergarten, she gradually began to ask to be placed near the roses. And did your neighbor stay there for a long time, or did she quickly go on the mend?

Светлана Андреева

Thank you, Sergey, for sharing about your uncle. My mother-in-law, too, was in bed for almost a year after a stroke; my son and I took her on a gurney to church when she could no longer speak properly. How is your uncle now, is he at least a little stronger?

Иванка Димитрова

Yes, Vasile, exactly "bedridden" - my grandmother, after a stroke, also lay like that for months without speaking. My husband and I carried her in our arms to the car, then to the church in the stroller, otherwise she would not leave the house. Where does your aunt go to church now?

Иванка Стоянова

Yes, Ivan, that's right - sometimes only someone else's feet take us to the church. My sister-in-law helped me drive an old friend with a cane after a stroke last fall, otherwise she would have stayed at home. And how is the neighbor now, is he all right?

Галина Новикова

Yes, “defeated” is right on point, as if the person had already been written off. It was also difficult for my matchmaker after the stroke, but thank God, now he can walk to the store himself with a stick. How is your uncle, has he completely recovered or is he still having difficulty walking?

Методи Попов

Yes, that's right, Ivanke - other people's feet are often the most important. My neighbor is walking better now, thank God, but he still can't catch the fishing line like he used to. And did your girlfriend come to church afterwards?

Мария Колева

Yes, Methodius, other people's feet do carry the load while the person inside is silent. I'm glad your neighbor is on the mend - I hope he's fishing again soon. And did your girlfriend come to the service on Sunday?

Иванка Иванова

Yes, Maria, that's right - sometimes other people's feet are the only thing that moves us. My neighbor is already getting up, but he hasn't caught the fishing rod yet, he's laughing because his hands are shaking. And did your friend come on Sunday, or did she catch the flu again?

Петя Попова

Yes, Maria, that's right - sometimes a person lies like a thrown sack and others carry it. Metodi's neighbor seems to be moving better now, I heard that he reached the bench in the garden yesterday. How about your feet after digging in the garden all morning?

Николай Костов

Yes, that's right Ivanka, sometimes it's just someone else's legs that get you out. It's good for your neighbor to laugh about the shaking - that's half the cure. And how is your friend, did she manage to come on Sunday or did the flu stop her again?

Богдана Николова

Yes, Petya, just like a thrown sack - and my father-in-law lay like that in the first months after the stroke, until we dragged him to mass. I'm glad for Metodi's neighbor that he's already on the bench. And don't overdo the digging, because then your back will hurt again like last time.

Величка Тодорова

Yes, Maria, that's right - sometimes a person is silent and others drag him along. Metodi's neighbor is now on the mend, I'm glad he'll catch the fishing line again. And did your girlfriend come to the service, or is she still receiving treatment?

Георги Иванов

Yes, Bogdana, that's exactly how a person feels - like a sack that no one picks up anymore. My neighbor Vanyo, after the spine operation, was also laid up for months until his wife took him fishing with the cart. I'm glad your father-in-law made it to Mass, that's encouraging. And how is your back now, has the pain gone?

Кирил Митев

Yes, Ivanka, that's right - other people's legs are often stronger than our own. I'm glad your neighbor is now laughing about the hand tremors, that's a good sign. How are you fishing lately, did you manage to catch anything in the river last Saturday?

Борис Марков

Yes, Georgi, just as you heard - I have also seen such a thing with my aunt after a stroke. Good thing Vagno's wife took him fishing, that often helps more than medication. And how is your cross, do you still go to services on Sunday?

Цветанка Колева

Yes, Petya, I also remember how Metodi told me about his neighbor - it's good that he is already reaching the bench, so there is progress. But you really don't overwork yourself with the garden, you know how you can't get up for a whole week afterwards. What did you plant this year?

Yes, Cyril, other people's legs really often carry us when our own can no longer. I'm glad your neighbor is laughing about the shaking - it's better than any medicine. What about you, do you go fishing again on Saturday or have you already gone to embroidery like me? 😊

Стоян Марков

Yes, Nikolay, that's right - sometimes only someone else's feet get you there. It happened to me once fishing when I sprained my ankle and two friends carried me to the car for half an hour. And how did your friend recover from this flu, did she pass?

Илия Илиев

Yes, Velichka, someone else's legs are a salvation, especially when yours are already failing. I'm glad that Cyril's neighbor is laughing - laughter really heals more than pills. I still go fishing on Saturdays, but if I keep casting this often, I might have to switch to embroidery like you. 😊

Yes, Velichka, that's right - sometimes they just carry you in their arms without asking. I'm glad that Metodi's neighbor is on the mend, I hope he catches Maritsa's fishing line with us soon. And is your girlfriend still in treatment, or has she already appeared in the church?

Надежда Стоянова

Yes, Standing, that's right - sometimes someone else's legs are the only thing pulling you forward. Your friends have acted like those from the Gospel, without much talk. And how is your friend with the flu now, is she completely over it?

Васил Стефанов

Yes, I heard about the Methodist neighbor too - good thing he's getting to the bench now, his friends must be helping him too. Tsvetanka, what do you think, will Metodi bring him vegetables from his garden again this year? This spring, I only put tomatoes and two or three peppers because I don't have time for more.

Иван Атанасов

Yes, that's right Nadezhda, sometimes only other people's feet pull you forward without asking. My friends brought me to church like the one from the Gospel, and then it turned out that I needed it too. And the friend with the flu has recovered, she is now on her feet, thank God. How are you, have you recently had such a case with someone close to you?

Цветанка Илиева

Yes, Tsvetanke, I also think that Metodi will probably bring him some of his tomatoes again, like last year. As long as he doesn't dig too much, because then his back calls. What did you put in your garden this spring, those sweet peppers again?

Николай Петков

Yes, Cyril, that's right - sometimes someone else's feet take you to Christ without waiting. I'm glad that Metodi's neighbor is on the mend, I hope he really catches Maritsa's fishing line with you. And how is your girlfriend, is she still going to treatment?

Атанас Николов

Yes, Elijah, other people's legs do save, like those four who carried him to bed. Kirill's neighbor is probably right - laughter works. And since you're going fishing, try to take me along sometime, because I find embroidery boring.

Yes, Athanasius, that's right – the four with the bed didn't wait for permission, they just picked it up and left. Cyril's neighbor is indeed right about the laughs, but as I sew in the winter, it seems to me that embroidery might also come in handy if one day you need a cover for a fishing boat. I'll pick you up next time, just let me know when it's convenient for you.

Петя Костова

Yes, Ivan, just like in the Gospel - sometimes they take you into their arms without asking you. My younger son dragged me to the St. Nicholas service last year when I was down with the flu, and it turns out I needed it too. And your friend with the flu - good thing she's on the mend. How do you feel now, are you being dragged away again or are you already walking alone?

Петър Димитров

Yes, Nikolay, that's right - sometimes they really put you on someone else's feet and don't even ask. I am happy for Metodi's neighbor, I hope he catches the fishing line, Maritsa's fish is good this year. And your girlfriend, how did the treatment go, is there any improvement yet?

Десислава Костова

Yes, Athanasius, those four really didn't wait to be asked, they just picked it up and left. Cyril's neighbor has the right to laugh, but if you go fishing, take me along sometime - I'll help you carry the cutlery, because I got tired of embroidery last winter. We'll see if we can catch anything.

Надежда Тодорова

Yes, Nadezhda, that's right - those four didn't wait, they just acted. And about embroidering a boat cover, it sounds practical, especially if Cyril decides to go fishing with us at the beach this summer. When are you free to show it?

Борис Илиев

Yes, Desislav, that's right - those four didn't wait for an invitation, they just grabbed it and carried it. Kirill's neighbor and I often laugh at such stories, but about the fish - come, the next time I go to the bay, I'll call you to bring the bait boxes, because I'm really tired of taking them out myself. We might catch something if we don't fall asleep on the beach.

Yes, Desislav, that's right - those four didn't wait for an invitation, they just endured it, like carrying something heavy that you no longer believe will serve you. About the fish - I'll come with you to the bay, as long as you don't make me embroider the bait beforehand. Kirill's neighbor will probably laugh even more when he sees us all.

Yes, that's right, Nadezhda, those four didn't wait for someone to give them permission. And about the boat cover - if it is light and does not slide on the boards, it will work for me, because my old umbrella is already breaking. When do you propose to show it, after Sunday service?

Георги Петров

Yes, Cyril, those four really didn't wait for permission, they just acted. About the boat cover - if it's not too heavy we can try it on after Sunday service, I'll bring it from the garden. And what do you say, should we fasten it with ropes, because the wind in Varna sometimes blows hard?