Radical Compassion: Finding Christ in the Heart of the Poor

· Loyola Press
4.5
2 reviews
Ebook
200
Pages
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About this ebook

Loving the Unloved of Society “I realize that God brought me into this world, blessed with skills and talents. The only thing that makes sense to me is to use them in the service of the poor. It is at their feet that I find myself.”
For almost ten years, Gary Smith, S.J., lived and worked among the poor of Portland, Oregon. With this memoir, he invites us to walk with him and meet some of the abandoned, over-looked, and forgotten members of our society with whom he has shared his life. Just as Smith found a deeper, truer understanding of himself and of the heart of God through his work, these people and their stories stand to transform us. “Although its subject matter is bleak, the book is not. Smith has found love amid the despair. His book is touching, at times hopeful, and the kind of book that is hard to put down, that fascinates, horrifies, and rivets one’s attention.”
Booklist “Smith takes us where we would rather not go, the heart of the poor, the lonely, and the abandoned. In true Ignatian fashion, he finds God there. An unforgettable experience for those who have the courage to walk with him.”
—Michael L. Cook, S.J.
Professor of theology
Gonzaga University “Smith performs modern-day miracles of compassion, and his book sets a new standard for writing about the rich faith of those who are materially poor. His stirring prose and utter honesty will change the hearts and minds of many readers.”
—Gerald T. Cobb, S.J.
Chair, department of English
Seattle University

Ratings and reviews

4.5
2 reviews
A Google user
September 23, 2011
If there is one book or life story which truly encapsulates what Jesuit's mean when the say "Age Quod Agis" which in Latin means, Men and Women for others. Fr. Gary Smith eloquently and compassionately shares his many experiences with the poor. While some are empower, others leave you heart broken and frustrated. If you read one book this year, let it be Radical Compassion.
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Michael Pratt
December 14, 2016
The writing style is a little bit repetitive, and the religious connotations are a little too generic. Otherwise, one gains a great understanding of the nature of poverty and why it is important for everyone to understand.
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About the author

Gary Smith, SJ, worked for six years with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Sudanese refugee camps in Uganda. He is the author of They Come Back Singing, a journal of his time in Uganda, Radical Compassion, an account of his ministry to the poor and disabled in Portland, Oregon, and Street Journal

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