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May 4, 2014
"Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a covenant between equals." --Father Gregory Boyle
The Calling of Delight: On Gangs, Service, Kinship
Father Gregory Boyle is no ordinary priest --he exuberantly pushes boundaries; not only does he reframe the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount and draw from the wisdom of the Dalai Lama, Cesar Chavez and Dorothy Day in his work, he's also utterly dedicated his life to something higher than himself: the unreserved service of humanity. There is perhaps no better place for a priest like Boyle to work than in the City of Angels. In 1988 he founded Homeboy Industries to combat mass-incarceration and gang violence, creating jobs for unemployed youth in Los Angeles. Not only do they create a powerful community together that inspires, creates hope and transforms lives, their work has grown to become "one of the largest, most comprehensive and most successful gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry programs in the country."
BE THE CHANGE
Father Boyle challenges us to see that compassion means moving into deeper relationship with others. Who might be standing on the outside of your circle of compassion? Invite them in.