Christ, Compassion & Consolation

Fr Ralph de Hahn explores how compassion, rooted in the Holy Spirit, becomes a powerful force to console the broken-hearted and reveals the deeper meaning of love at the core of the Gospel.

Consolation, the subject of the jubilee which the Church marks on September 15, sounds like a sentimental word — something nice we offer when trying to comfort one another. But in the Christian life, consolation goes far deeper.

We begin with the truth that the Holy Spirit is the magnificent Comforter. True consolation is not simply about soothing words; it is a gift of God’s Spirit, carrying the power to bring new life, renewed hope, and to raise up those weighed down by heavy disappointment, grief or brokenness. The key to consolation is compassion.

All this demands a soft and gentle touch, with a genuine acceptance of our human frailty — and, very often, the patience of that biblical figure Job. Compassion — to suffer and endure with — is not only a useful gift but also a beautiful feature in any human being.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, speaks of the fruits of the Spirit, including kindness and gentleness born of compassion: a compassion displaying tenderness, mercy and patience, together with a listening ear and heart.

Mercy in the Bible

The Bible offers a great number of characters in both the Old and New Testaments who display remarkable compassion and consolation to those in need. Look at Moses, who showed a great deal of patience and self-control when leading the stubborn Hebrews across the wastelands. God himself, facing the rebellious Israelites, displayed unlimited patience, tolerance and, surely, compassion.

The story of Joseph, who became a prince of Egypt, is a wonderful example of compassion. After having been betrayed by his own brothers, he understood their motives, their envy, and their need for food. He forgave them all and embraced them — even with tears.

Ruth loved Naomi and, in her need, decided to travel with her to Bethlehem, settling there as a compassionate friend.

Compassion is boundless

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, shows his love for his sheep and compassion even for those who stray. He will gladly leave the ninety-nine and go in search of the one who has strayed. At the death of his friend Lazarus, Jesus even shed tears as he shared the grief of the sisters, Mary and Martha.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is another striking story of compassion — for a man considered a foe to the Jews stops to help a man who cannot help himself.

Our late Pope Francis invoked that parable at the beginning of this year in response to US politicians who sought to set limits on compassion. The Gospel teaches us that compassion has no boundaries.

The apostle Barnabas, “Son of Encouragement”, exhorts all to pray for the grace to always help others in need. The very kind Joseph of Arimathea offered his personal tomb wherein they could lay the body of Jesus.

Empathy on the Cross

While dying on the cross, Jesus, with deep compassion, asked his Father to excuse all sinners: “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.”

Other biblical texts exhort us to be compassionate. The great commandment is to love God by also showing caring love to his children in need (Matthew 22:37). Forgive always, as God forgives you (Ephesians 4:32). “Agree among yourselves and be sympathetic, show compassion and be self-effacing” (1 Peter 3:8). And: “If one should close his heart to a brother in need, how could the love of God be living in him?” (1 John 3:17).

In the Book of Lamentations we read: “God’s mercies are never ended, his love never exhausted” (3:22). Peter says that love and compassion cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

It is more important to love than to succeed. Show me a person who has loved, and I will tell him what God is. Love can live only by giving — for Christianity is a heart-to-heart relationship. Where we fail is in having the name of Jesus on our lips, but the world in our hearts.

If we can spend some time at the foot of the Cross, we will learn the deeper meaning of love. And love is the root of compassion and consolation.

Fr Ralph de Hahn is a retired priest of the archdiocese of Cape Town. Published in the September 2025 issue of The Southern Cross magazine