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!

Weekend Reflection for 6/13/14

June 13, 2014  /  Joe Parisi

By Fr. Jim Burshek, S.J. 

To dream as God dreams

 

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)

 

We have all heard the verses above many times -they seem almost commonplace. But why does God send his Son?

 

I believe God had a dream, a dream from the dawn of creation of a world of marvelous beauty; but more than that a world where men and women could enjoy, care for and revel in this marvelous beauty.

 

But sin enters in and things fall apart -we do not build one another up but start building crosses. We do not share the goods and beauty of the world but begin to horde rather than share. Suddenly God's dream seems to be becoming a nightmare! And God wept for it seemed the dream was dying.

 

But God does not give up. God so loves this world, flawed as it may be -God is so passionate about this world, his dream, that he sends his Son -and a cross is waiting. But God's love is more powerful than sin or death or any cross. Some people begin to see what love is really about, what real beauty is in each person. Cold hearts begin to warm again.

 

What does God ask of us? Stop building crosses and work for my dream. Bring beauty to a world too often desecrated. Be a person of vision with a dream, with a hope, with faith. Be a lover: love the world, love God, love others, love yourself. Live peace, purity virtue.

 

Easter says: The dream is not over! Choose the dream, choose love, choose life.

 

Become the dream and love the world as much as God does -with every fiber of your being!

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

  

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

 

Men:  6/19, 6/23, 7/10, 7/31

Co-ed: 8/29 (2-day, starts Friday evening)

Women: 9/8, 10/6, 11/17

Men in Recovery: 8/14

 

Call 314-416-6400 or Click Here

 

To make a secure online donation to White House, Click Here.