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jmarchek's review against another edition
5.0
I don't even remember buying this audiobook, but there it was in my library so I downloaded it and began listening. What a gift.
I was so touched by this sweet story about Father Gregory Boyle who has spent his life in the ministry to the poorest gang members in Los Angeles. He founded Homeboy Industries which works to give gang members a way out, a job, counseling, and tattoo removal. He shares the stories of their lives, how they want to change, and really shares what it means to have compassion as Jesus Christ did.
I usually don't like books read by the author, but this was different, I could truly feel Father G's love for all those through his narration. It'll change how I view "homies" forever.
I was so touched by this sweet story about Father Gregory Boyle who has spent his life in the ministry to the poorest gang members in Los Angeles. He founded Homeboy Industries which works to give gang members a way out, a job, counseling, and tattoo removal. He shares the stories of their lives, how they want to change, and really shares what it means to have compassion as Jesus Christ did.
I usually don't like books read by the author, but this was different, I could truly feel Father G's love for all those through his narration. It'll change how I view "homies" forever.
aj59bizg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
t_shaffner's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It was by turns incredibly touching and a bit too sappy for me, and the difference depended more on my mood than it so I think that's a positive. It walked that line of meaningful fairly well. I was a bit frustrated at times with the Spanish pieces which weren't always translated clearly enough for us non-speakers, and it could seem a bit repetitive after a while, but as a collection of entertaining stories, thoughts on the nature of evaluating charities, and meditations on the way to live a meaningful/spiritual life that helps others, I quite enjoyed the totality of it.
revrebeccatankersley's review against another edition
5.0
So sad this book is over. Boyle’s honesty about his feelings with people is refreshing. Frequently he realizes he has confused someone as an interruption, lost his compassion, forgotten that the image of God is in front of him. This book has pushed me to love more deeply. It will be with me for a long time!
PS, listen to the audiobook read by the author!!!
PS, listen to the audiobook read by the author!!!
shinysquares's review against another edition
4.0
Sounds like a great guy. The audiobook was kinda slow but the story was cool.
maddiepurdy's review against another edition
5.0
I read an excerpt of this book in my high school theology class and have been wanting to read it ever since. I’m so glad I did. Such a powerful testament to how compassion can change lives. I have so many quotes highlighted but some of my favs are:
‘ “Cause,” he adds humbly, “that’s what Jesus did. I mean, compassion … is … God”’
“The strategy if Jesus is not centered in taking the right stand on issues, but rather in standing in the right place - with the outcast and those relegated to the margins.”
“At homeboy industries, we seek to tell each person this truth: they are exactly what God had in mind when God made them - and then we watch, from this privileged place, as people inhabit this truth. nothing is the same again. No bullet can pierce this, no prison wall can keep this out. And death can’t touch it - it is just that huge”
“He doesn’t suggest that we cease to love those who love us when he nudged us to love our enemies. Nor does Jesus think the harder thing is the better thing. He knows it’s just the harder thing. But to love the enemy and to find some spaciousness for the victimizer, as well as the victim, resembles more the expansive compassion of God. That’s why you do it. To be in the world who God is.”
‘ “Cause,” he adds humbly, “that’s what Jesus did. I mean, compassion … is … God”’
“The strategy if Jesus is not centered in taking the right stand on issues, but rather in standing in the right place - with the outcast and those relegated to the margins.”
“At homeboy industries, we seek to tell each person this truth: they are exactly what God had in mind when God made them - and then we watch, from this privileged place, as people inhabit this truth. nothing is the same again. No bullet can pierce this, no prison wall can keep this out. And death can’t touch it - it is just that huge”
“He doesn’t suggest that we cease to love those who love us when he nudged us to love our enemies. Nor does Jesus think the harder thing is the better thing. He knows it’s just the harder thing. But to love the enemy and to find some spaciousness for the victimizer, as well as the victim, resembles more the expansive compassion of God. That’s why you do it. To be in the world who God is.”
sahoorra's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Tear city central! Wow. Constantly moved to tears by the vastness of human experience. Grief, love, joy. They ebb and flow through the journey of life. We belong to each other. There is no space between us. More kinship. More compassion. More seeing ourselves and others in the way God would want us to. God is too busy loving us to by angry with us. I want to live a more compassionate life. I want to devout myself to life amongst others. Not above, not below, amongst, in between.