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A review by blueranger9
G-Dog and the Homeboys: Father Greg Boyle and the Gangs of East Los Angeles by Tom Brokaw, Celeste Fremon
5.0
"Gang violence is a lethal absence of hope."
Wow...I was riveted and uplifted to read this book because despite all the valleys a community goes through, it's encouraging to see the impact one person who comes from a position of love can affect.
I first heard about Father Greg Boyle when my best friend recommended I hear his interview on the podcast On Being. I was immediately engrossed, and became obsessive about understanding what the gang experience really entails, why people join, why it's something that doesn't seem to go away as readily. I think I have a better understanding, but mostly what I took away from the book was hope. I am encouraged by those who live their lives Christ-like-as we are truly called. We are called to love and embrace those around us because we are all in need of redemption and love. Father Boyle not only firmly believes that, but his actions have irrevocably impacted the homies in profound ways that society at large has often failed to do.
"I feel like I can do it and do it reasonably well. But i am not called to do it...I discovered what I am called and meant to do. It is such a gift and the denial of it remains more painful than I often admit to myself."
This quote desperately spoke to me too, as I went from a job filled with purpose and passion to a meaningless source of income. I want to get back to what I'm called to do too, and hope I'm as lucky as Father Boyle to make that happen.
Wow...I was riveted and uplifted to read this book because despite all the valleys a community goes through, it's encouraging to see the impact one person who comes from a position of love can affect.
I first heard about Father Greg Boyle when my best friend recommended I hear his interview on the podcast On Being. I was immediately engrossed, and became obsessive about understanding what the gang experience really entails, why people join, why it's something that doesn't seem to go away as readily. I think I have a better understanding, but mostly what I took away from the book was hope. I am encouraged by those who live their lives Christ-like-as we are truly called. We are called to love and embrace those around us because we are all in need of redemption and love. Father Boyle not only firmly believes that, but his actions have irrevocably impacted the homies in profound ways that society at large has often failed to do.
"I feel like I can do it and do it reasonably well. But i am not called to do it...I discovered what I am called and meant to do. It is such a gift and the denial of it remains more painful than I often admit to myself."
This quote desperately spoke to me too, as I went from a job filled with purpose and passion to a meaningless source of income. I want to get back to what I'm called to do too, and hope I'm as lucky as Father Boyle to make that happen.