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 Reflections for 12/16/16

December 16, 2016  /  Joe Parisi

Emmanuel - God is with Us

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

'Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,' which means 'God is with us.'" (Mt 1:22-23)

Throughout the Old Testament God promises that He will visit His people and once again walk with them as He did with Adam and Eve in the garden in loving intimacy and union. As we prepare for Christmas, we remember His promise and invite Him to come again. Jesus entered our world as a new-born infant. He breathed our air and walked our earth. He experienced our humanity in every way except sin, knew happiness and sadness, success and failure. He grew up in a family and learned to belong and how to share a home and a table with his loved ones.

In his life, death and resurrection Jesus revealed our God to be Forgiving-Love. Before he returned to his Father he promised that he would always be with us every moment of our lives and wherever we are. We are never truly alone. Emmanuel is constantly looking at us with infinite compassion and love and always wants more for us than we can imagine. As Christmas draws closer, let us ask for the grace to be more aware of His presence and His loving gaze.

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY