If we truly want to come face to face with Christ we need to go to fid those people in whom the Holy Spirit is making Christ present to us. Very often this will mean going out to the edges of our communities with a loving heart. Compassion then is not a form of pity for those who are worse off than ourselves but is a form of worship intended to come face to face with Christ.
So in practice compassion is demonstrated when the church lives out its calling to care for those in need. In Jesus’ story known as The Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25 he tells us what whenever you feed the hungry, or give a drink to those who are thirsty, or give a room to those who are homeless, or clothes to those who are shivering, or go to visit those who are sick then you are doing this to Him.
In churches there are many models of outreach serving local need and addressing social justice.
- Foodbanks ; Homeless Shelters ; Debt Advice ;
- Night Church ; Campaigning for human rights;
- Supporting refugees and asylum seekers;
- Organising transport to medical appointments ;
And there are many examples too of churches working in partnerships with other agencies to deliver better and more caring services
When we put such a compassion at the heart of our churches then we are being church that is not just an active congregation, but a vibrant, inclusive community hub. A community that fosters compassion for others.
Where do you see compassion being shown by your congregation ? Who are the people on the edge of your community who are Christ for you?
