Father Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart, Barking to the Choir, The Whole Language, and most recently, Cherished Belonging.
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The big takeaway
In an age of division, rage, and despair, Father Gregory Boyle — founder of Homeboy Industries — invites us to stop asking whether people are good or bad and instead ask whether they are well. His key insight: You can resist injustice without vilifying others, and you can confront brokenness by leaning into connection and community.
How to love without losing your mind
Key takeaways:
From judgment to health: Father Greg suggests replacing snap moral judgments with a simpler question—is this person well? Letting go of “good vs. evil” allows space for compassion and understanding, even in polarized times. This isn’t about approving harmful behavior — it’s about seeing the wound underneath it.
Loving resistance: It's possible to stand strong and resist injustice or harmful behavior without demonizing others. Cherishing love means rolling up your sleeves and taking action from a place of care, not rage.
The power of mutual community: Communities that “drive us sane” (not crazy!) are built on tenderness and genuine belonging, not just shared opinions. Healing is contagious when people feel seen, cherished, and surrounded.
Rewiring how you see others: Boyle recommends a daily stance of “affectionate awe” — noticing pain beneath behavior instead of reflexively judging it. Over time, this retrains your mind toward connection.
6 ways to train your compassion muscle (without burning out):
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