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 4/8/16

April 08, 2016  /  Joe Parisi

He Is Risen

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord.  John 21:12B

Sunday's Gospel is the story of Jesus' appearance to seven of his apostles at the Sea of Tiberias. At Simon Peter's suggestion they have spent the night fishing and, as usual, have caught nothing. Jesus appears on the shore in the dawn haziness and tells them where to cast the nets and they catch 153 big ones. It has always struck me that the apostles shouldn't be fishing for fish; they left their boats and nets behind three years ago when Jesus first called them. It's as though they have lost their sense of who they have become through their relationship with Jesus; they've gone back to what they were before meeting him. John recognizes Jesus in the miraculous catch of fish. That's how he called them the first time. It has to be Jesus!

They come ashore and meet Jesus again. He is the Risen Lord, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, and he's cooking breakfast for them. Who else in their experience would treat them this way? Only Jesus. It's what he did at the last supper as he lovingly washed their feet.

At the last supper Peter swore that he would never deny Jesus and then he does three times. He's been carrying that burden of guilt ever since and now Jesus initiates the merciful conversation with him. Three times he asks Peter for his love and then challenges him to show it in how he treats others: Feed my sheep. Treat others as I have treated you. That's the Peter we see in the stories in the Acts of the Apostles.

These apostles recognize Jesus in the way he treats them; they don't have to ask who he is. He comes when they've lost their sense of call, he cares for and serves them as he always has, he meets their needs and reassures them of his love. That's how he deals with each of us. Alleluia!

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

Women: May 19 (Fr. Joe Laramie, S.J.), May 26 (Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.), September 12 (Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.)

 

Men: April 14, April 18, April 21, April 28

 

Coed: September 2-4 (Fr. Joe Laramie, S.J.)