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 2/3/17

February 03, 2017  /  Joe Parisi

How did Jesus prepare himself to be the light and salt for his people? He spends the first 30 or so years of his life in the little

town (estimated now at roughly 300 to 500 people) of Nazareth. It was here living with his family and the people of his village he learned how to be a good Israelite, how to live and practice their faith.  He learned and memorized and prayed over many of the Jewish Scriptures.  He learned and practiced a profession with Joseph, He became acquainted with the strengths and weaknesses of his religious and political leaders, their right and wrong practices.

 

Then one day, probably to surprise of most people, he left Nazareth to be baptized by John the Baptist and then for a period of time joins his circle of disciples. Eventually he realized it was time for him to set out on his own and share with his people what he knew of God and God's plan for the Israel nation. Now was the time for him to be the light and salt for his people. 

In the various gospel scenes of this week we read of some of the different ways in which Jesus accomplished this: journeying to the villages of Galilee and beyond, teaching, healing and on a few occasions even feeding the large crowd that was coming to hear him.

 

We too at times should reflect upon how God has been preparing us to be the light and salt for the people in our lives. How we have been imbued with our faith, our appreciation of the many gifts and blessings of our lives, the people who helped and guided us in our faith journey. How now we are being called to take on this marvelous, God-given responsibility with and for the people in our life world?

-Fr. Jim Blumeyer, S.J. 

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY