Priest Challenges Christians to Show Genuine Compassion Through Service

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Nyon, Makurdi, in Benue State, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Tyoga, has called on Christians to emulate Jesus Christ by demonstrating genuine compassion through practical acts of kindness and support for those facing difficulties.

Delivering his homily during the Sunday Mass, on June 14, 2026, Fr. Tyoga said the readings of the day highlighted God’s compassion for humanity and challenged believers to extend the same compassion to others.
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He explained that God’s liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as narrated in the first reading, was a clear demonstration of divine compassion.

He said “God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt because of His compassion for them. He rescued them from suffering and captivity and led them towards their vocation. It was compassion that moved God to act on their behalf.”

The cleric noted that the Gospel reading also portrayed Christ’s compassion when He saw people who were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

According to him, Jesus did not merely sympathize with the suffering of the people but took concrete steps to help them and commissioned His disciples to continue the mission of caring for others.

“Christ knew He could not do the work alone, so He called the disciples to become His voice, His hands and His representatives in the world. Today, every baptized Christian has become a disciple of Christ and shares in that responsibility,” he stated.

Fr. Tyoga urged Christians to move beyond offering empty words of consolation to those in distress, stressing that true compassion requires action.

“Many of us claim to be compassionate, yet when someone is going through difficulties, we simply say, ‘ Eyaaah, Sorry,’ and walk away. That is not the compassion Christ teaches. Genuine compassion compels us to help and support those who are suffering,” he said.

Drawing from biblical scholarship, the priest explained that the original Hebrew and Greek understanding of compassion goes beyond pity or sympathy, explaining that the biblical concept of compassion refers to a deep inner movement that drives a person to respond to the needs of others.

“Sympathy allows you to stand at a distance and feel sorry for someone, but empathy moves you to help. The compassion spoken about in Scripture comes from within and pushes a person to take action,” he explained.

Fr. Tyoga recalled several instances in the Bible where Jesus responded to people’s needs, including healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and feeding thousands who were hungry.

He said Christ’s example teaches believers to identify with the suffering of others and actively contribute to alleviating their burdens.

The priest observed that many people today are weighed down by numerous challenges, including poverty, ill health, family pressures, unemployment, addiction, moral confusion and the rising cost of living.

He added that Jesus continues to see the struggles of individuals and families, just as He saw the needs of the crowds during His earthly ministry.

“Jesus sees young people battling addiction and confusion. He sees families struggling to survive, parents unable to meet their needs, marriages under pressure, and the effects of corruption and negligence in society,” he said.

Fr. Tyoga challenged Christians to examine what they are doing to help those around them, insisting that faith must be expressed through practical concern for the vulnerable.

He urged believers to become instruments of Christ’s compassion by offering assistance, encouragement and hope to those experiencing hardship.

The cleric concluded by reminding Christians that the call to discipleship is inseparable from the call to serve others, stressing that authentic compassion should inspire positive action capable of transforming lives and communities.