Weekend Reflections for 8/14/15

We learn by doing. A young boy watches the big kids play soccer. He sees them running, kicking, sliding, and scoring. He wants to play, too. He sees a ball and starts to run and kick and and run some more. His friend joins him. True, they aren't so fast and skilled as the big kids; but they have fun, and build their skills as they play. Eventually, a parent can teach the boy: 'Son, here is how you pass the ball. Here is how you can kick it better.' The explanation makes sense to him only after he has tried it. We learn by doing.

We learn faith by 'doing' faith. "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord." Taste, then see. Do, then understand. Try it. Sing and pray, and see what happens. Certainly our Catholic faith has an intellectual component-- we can study the Scriptures, learn about the saints, and discuss Church teaching. But all of this makes sense only after we've had an encounter with Christ in the Church. Faith is caught, like a holy virus. The actions teach us. Many of us enter the Church as children and join the worship before we can speak. A boy can taste before he can speak. Prayer and study helps us to understand the worship and enter it more fully.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that when we "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood," then we truly have life-- even eternal life. A relationship with Jesus is something we 'do.' He goes first, then I respond. We drink in His Word in the Scriptures. We consume His Body in the Eucharist. These actions form me and inform me. Taste then see. Do then learn. Christ teaches me by feeding me.

-Fr Joe Laramie SJ, White House Jesuit Reteat

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY  

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH OPENINGS:

Men:8/20, 9/10, 9/21, 9/28, 10/1

Women: 10/5, 11/12, 11/16, 1/1

Co-ed (2-day): 9/4

Register for your next retreat by calling 314-416-6400.