Father Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, shares his journey of fostering love and compassion for those involved in gangs. He discusses how empathy can transform lives, emphasizing the importance of seeing individuals as doing their best, even in challenging circumstances. Boyle shares insights on setting healthy boundaries and motivating others through joy. He also explores an inclusive notion of God, highlighting the profound impact of tenderness and kindness in healing communities and overcoming societal divisions.
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Homeboy Industries' Origins
Father Gregory Boyle started Homeboy Industries in 1988 after witnessing gang violence in his Los Angeles parish.
It began with a school and jobs program, evolving into the world's largest gang intervention and re-entry program.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Handling Stress
Stay present and find joy in those around you to manage stress.
Acknowledge grief and sadness without letting them overwhelm you; "put death in its place."
insights INSIGHT
True Self in Loving
Discovering your true self through love is the most powerful force, surpassing even death.
Not knowing this true self is a fate worse than death.
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In 'The Whole Language', Gregory Boyle shares stories of transformation and healing from his work at Homeboy Industries, highlighting the power of compassion and inclusivity. The book challenges conventional morality and justice, offering a hopeful perspective on community and redemption. Through personal narratives, Boyle illustrates the impact of tenderness and radical acceptance in overcoming systemic poverty and violence.
Tattoos on the Heart
The Power of Boundless Compassion
Gregory Boyle
In 'Tattoos on the Heart', Father Gregory Boyle shares his experiences and insights from thirty years of working with gang members in Los Angeles. The book is a collection of parables that highlight the importance of kinship, redemption, and boundless compassion. Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program, and his stories reflect his commitment to helping young people escape gang life and find a path to self-respect and dignity. The book emphasizes the power of unconditional love, faith, and the importance of treating all individuals with respect and kindness, regardless of their background[1][3][5].
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The idea of loving people no matter what— no matter how obnoxious or unacceptable their behavior is can sound simultaneously treacly and downright impossible.
But today's guest Father Gregory Boyle talks about the practicality of this idea by showing how the concept of loving no matter what can be used as a tool— not to condone bad behavior but to help see people as doing their best, no matter how unskillfully.
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