In Tattoos on The Heart, Gregory Boyle shares the powerful, challenging, and often humorous stories that he has gathered throughout his life as a young Jesuit and his work with gangs in Los Angeles. Not only do these stories reflect the gritty reality of life on the margins of society, but Gregory shows how they can teach us a great deal about God’s love and compassion for all of us. Central to the book is Gregory’s work establishing Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, which has become a model of Christian compassion and social justice in the face of gang violence.
Think about reading a chapter each week with young adults and reflecting on what struck you. This can be a great foundation for discussing social justice, faith, and Christ’s message of unrestricted compassion.
