WHITE HOUSE JESUIT RETREAT

St. Louis, MO 63129

1-800-643-1003

Jesuit retreat center high on the bluffs of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, MO.  Since 1922, thousands of people from around the world make annual three-day silent, guided retreats here to relax, reconnect with God and strengthen their spirituality.  A true gem in the Midwest!  Call 314-416-6400 or 1-800-643-1003.  Email reservations@whretreat.org  7400 Christopher Rd.  St. Louis, MO 63129

Both men's and women's retreats are offered as well as recovery retreats.

Take Spirituality to the Next Level!

REFLECTION for March 7, 2014

March 12, 2014  /  Joe Parisi

What do I give up for Lent?          

              

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan!" (Matthew 4:8-10)

 

The temptations that Jesus faced were, at least in part, temptations to having control and power. It is as if Satan saves to Jesus, "If you want to control people, if you want power, do this!" After all, Satan thinks, everyone wants power, everyone wants control, everyone wants things "their way."

 

Jesus says, "Get out, Satan! You do not have a clue about who I am and what I want. I really am about service, not power; I am about compassion, not judgment; I am about giving of myself, not about getting for myself."

 

As we begin this Lenten season, can I give up "my agenda," "my way," "my needing to be in control?" This is far harder than anything else I might give up for Lent!

 

Can I follow the example of the one who emptied himself, so that I might be filled with the power and love of God? Can I say, like Jesus, "Father, into your hands I commend my life."