Compassionately Radical

Well, I actually did make it to the library the other day. (The clouds and rain prevented some of the other goals that I had.) I have now accumulated a plethora of books on topics ranging from having fun in New York for free or very cheap to developing leadership in youth ministry. I have also picked up a few novels.

The first book I have decided to dive into is a journal of sorts. The book is called Radical Compassion and it is by Gary Smith, who is a Jesuit who works in the poor neighborhoods in Portland. I don't know quite how to describe it, but all I can say is that I was in love with it by the time I got to the fifth page. I really think this just might be the perfect book for me right now, especially with all the fears that are developing about the year ahead.

A favorite quote from what I have read thus far:

"There is in me a longing to be real, to be authentic, to be a clear reflection of what my heart holds at its deepest levels. It is a goal that the gospel steadfastly holds up as an invitation to me, to the church. It is when the church embraces the gospel selflessly that it bears the heart of God and becomes real to the world. And when it is real, the church makes God believable."

He goes on to share little stories and various interactions he has had with the people he has worked with. There is such a gracious love in his tone, he shares how the people he connects with push him to open up, to break down his own walls, to love selflessly - it really makes me excited to think that I might have a chance to work towards something similar. I know that I will never really be able to get to the point that Jesus loved, but I hope I can become a good example of the love God has for his people.