Genuine Love Heals A Wounded World — Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba Urges Christians In Sunday Homily

Christians have been called to embrace genuine love, compassion, and practical acts of mercy as essential pathways to healing a world burdened by sin, division, and hardship. This message formed the centre of the Sunday homily delivered by Rev. Fr. Stevenson Olowolagba on Sunday, February 8, 2026, during the Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.

Drawing from the day’s readings — Isaiah 58:7–10, 1 Corinthians 2:1–5, and Matthew 5:13–16 — the cleric emphasised that authentic Christian living goes beyond outward religious practices and must be rooted in sincere love expressed through justice, compassion, and service to others.

Faith Must Reflect In Action

According to Rev. Fr. Olowolagba, the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel reinforce the prophetic message of Isaiah, stressing that true worship of God is reflected not merely in rituals but in how believers treat others, especially the vulnerable and those in need.

Akahi News gathered that the homily highlighted the need for Christians to examine whether their daily interactions reflect God’s love. The priest noted that faith becomes meaningful when it is demonstrated through actions that promote healing, reconciliation, and kindness within society.

Quoting Pope Paul VI, he reminded the congregation that modern society listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, stressing that Christians must embody the message they proclaim. The love of God, he explained, becomes credible when believers actively practise it in their homes, communities, and workplaces.

Becoming Apostles In Everyday Life

The homily further stressed that every Christian is called to be an apostle in contemporary society. Rev. Fr. Olowolagba explained that the Good News of salvation — God becoming man to redeem humanity and offer eternal life — should not be confined within church walls but shared through everyday acts of mercy and compassion.

He urged believers to minister to people not merely with sympathy but with empathy, noting that genuine love is communicated when individuals genuinely share in the pains and struggles of others. Simple acts, such as spending time with the sick, comforting the aged, or supporting the bereaved, were described as powerful expressions of God’s presence in the world.

Akahi News learnt that the cleric encouraged Christians to begin acts of charity from their immediate environment, reminding the faithful that transformation often starts within families and close relationships before extending to wider society.

Compassion As The World’s Urgent Need

In his reflection, Rev. Fr. Olowolagba noted that the world today faces deep wounds caused by injustice, selfishness, and moral decline, insisting that compassion and love remain the most effective response to these challenges. He explained that when people encounter Christ through the corporal works of mercy shown by believers, their trust and faith in God are strengthened.

The priest also emphasised that the message of the crucified Christ is not sustained by human wisdom or intellectual arguments alone but by the power of God revealed through love and sacrifice.

Message Of Hope For The New Week

As the homily concluded, prayers were offered for divine mercy and peace for the faithful as they begin a new week. Rev. Fr. Olowolagba encouraged believers to allow their lives to become living testimonies of God’s love, reminding them that healing in society begins when individuals choose compassion over indifference.

The message, centred on love in action, resonated strongly with congregants, reinforcing the enduring Christian call to be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” through genuine care for others.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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