Radical Compassion Finding Christ in the Heart of the Poor Review
Radical Compassion: Finding Christ in the Eye of the Poor
This volume is mostly a series of vignettes of people that the writer worked with in Former Town Portland. Erstwhile Boondocks is the skid route of Portland. These stories are interspersed with reflections that emphasize that Christians meet Christ in the poor and that the Church building must minister to these people. The terminal chapter is well-nigh pearls, and this volume is notable because the writer finds the pearls within the people of Old Town where many might see merely addiction and mental affliction. This book is anything but condescending.
Hands down one of the most memorable and touching books I've e'er read. A must read for those trying to find dearest in their hearts for the outcast, the homeless, the addicts, those that society thinks are a nuisance. Highly recommend.
This will go on my list of all time favorites. The author demonstrates what a life of compassion truly looks like.
This is a powerful, raw glimpse at life amid the poorest of social club. Thank you, Father Gary, for sharing these heartfelt stories and all your tireless work serving our community.
Radical Compassion, is a sincerely profound chronicle of Begetter Gary Smith's life with the poor in the inner urban center of Portland, Oregon. He records interactions and experiences of his ministry describing how he views each individual as created by God.With deep emotion, he describes his genuine relationships every bit he listens to the people attentively and describes his own feelings for each ane. Male parent Smith shows his humanity while telling their stories; for example, he gagged from the smell of dead rats in an apartment he visited. He felt sadness when people died lonely and estranged from family unit members, and he felt disgusted with certain lifestyle choices.I admire how he lives out his faith.He doesn't just talk well-nigh God, but he applies faith to every attribute of his life.He acknowledges that things are evil like substance abuse, certain sexual behaviors, abuse of children, detest of others, and violence to name a few, but he points out that there are reasons behind people's choices and he sees each individual every bit a human being created past and in demand of God.He shares about a radio host'due south view point who "alleged war on the homeless poor" (pg. 135) and felt that they shouldn't be allowed to live on the streets. Father Smith (2002) states, "The moral crime is that people similar this jerk have no involvement in finding out anything about the human who stands on the corner, smelling and hungry.Were he to come across one such person and hear that individual's story, he might understand the chirapsia centre before him and the reason why that luckless private is standing there looking for a handout" (p. 136). Male parent Smith points out that one of the reasons for our suffering is then we can be nowadays for others who are hurting.We may not understand their verbal circumstances simply nosotros can certainly understand the feelings of suffering through fear, acrimony, grief, or other painful emotions. Through Father Smith's story, nosotros see that relationships are common and both people proceeds something from one another. Throughout the volume, he relates how much he gains from the people he ministers to.This is peculiarly evident in the eleventh affiliate when he tells the story of Robert who was dying of AIDS. He ministered to Robert and spent fourth dimension with him even when Robert continued to misuse substances, live in a sexually promiscuous mode, and treat others poorly. Even though some of Robert's behaviors offend him, he overcomes his feelings and conveys compassion to him equally someone who is loved by God. Robert eventually realizes that like God, Smith cares for him in spite of his behavior. He was able to express the eye of the gospel when he says, "'My resistance to God,' he said, 'has always been rooted in my feelings of being muddy. Like I am always a leper. But I know that we are all lepers to some degree and that in spite of that God nonetheless loves us.In fact, Jesus spent a lot of fourth dimension with lepers,'"(Smith, 2002, p. 148).After accepting God's love and forgiveness, Robert was baptized. In his sermon, Smith likened Robert to the Skillful Samaritan considering he allowed Smith to be role of his story. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the people who were religious people walked on the other side of the road and pretended they didn't see the man who had been almost beaten to decease. The Samaritans and Jews were enemies but the Samaritan takes care of his enemy and expects zilch in render. Normally, I would accept thought most Father Smith being the Samaritan and Robert existence the needy man in the parable, but Father Smith realizes how God in his grace used him to help Robert. That is a gift
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is one of the best books I've ever read. Through Fr. Gary'south candid journal entries documenting his life ministering to the poor, I've gained a new perspective and better understanding of the poor, the challenges they face and how we tin be of service to them. I've long thought that the just style to aid the poor was to get them out of poverty, and while that is certainly something that needs to be washed and is worth fighting for, I've learned through Fr. Gary'due south example that in the mean time nosotros can give the poor our honey and companionship. If we have money, food or clothing to spare, of course that is helpful. But what struck me the about was how lone most of the poor are: Isolated to neighborhoods that the balance of society avoids, and sometimes living most of their life in a single room by themselves. The 2d most of import insight I gained was how for nigh poor people, they will remain poor for the residuum of their life. Whether it be mental illness, addiction, inability or a combination of the three, getting to know these people quickly reveals that getting out of poverty is often non as simple equally nosotros might remember it is. As Fr. Gary states, it is in the heart of the poor that one finds God and his accounts conspicuously demonstrate the truth in this argument. He never discusses getting people out of poverty, merely instead focuses on existence with them, being at that place for them and helping them discover God's beloved. His piece of work is existence in that location for them day in and day out, yr after year. He doesn't endeavor to catechumen them or modify their ways, he is simply there to show them beloved. It is truly a heartwarming story despite the atrocious circumstances. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever walked past a person living on the street and felt a twinge of marvel, repulsion, fright, or disconnection. Reading Fr. Gary'south journal will demonstrate that while the poor live in an entirely different reality than the rest of us, they are our brothers and but by connecting with them tin we truly know God.
The volume is the story of a Jesuit priest who ministers to the poor in Portland, Oregon. The priest's love for those who are often marginalized by society actually brought me to tears at certain points. His thoughts about the poor on pg.164 "Sometimes we run across individuals who aid us locate the intersection of the divine and the human. They pause open our hearts, and we sympathise God'south care for all because they are simple and lovable, worthy and skilful -- a souvenir to united states all. Nothing they do distracts us. Everything they practise enhances u.s.a.. They lead united states to the intrinsic beauty in every human being being."
A journal written by a priest who spent years living and working amid the poor in downtown Portland'southward One-time Town. Fr. Gary presents rich and insightful portraits of some of the individuals with whom he worked. I thought that he came across equally kind of presumptuous at times, and the volume was also religious for my taste, but I definitely admire all of the good work that Fr. Gary does. Plus, information technology'southward absurd that the book takes place in Portland in a neighborhood where some of my friends work.
When I suspect that some of my clients are taking advantage of the social services organization in which I work I think of this book and Begetter Smith's attitude of pity towards the poor. I was particularly moved by his credence of the dishonest poor. The writing is very honest and blunt. It has a journal-like feel to it.
A poignant glimpse into the world of impoverished Americans. A gentle human with a big heart who has seen it all lives in solidarity with Portland's homeless, and brings their heart breaking stories to the pages of this volume. An incredibly idea provoking book, specially for those who alive in an urban area and are faced each day with the ethical questions of homelessness.
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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/608379.Radical_Compassion
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