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 8/17/18

August 16, 2018  /  Joe Parisi

Our Ultimate Friend

One of the great fears most of us suffer from is the fear of loneliness, alienation and isolation from others, feeling that we are cut off and don’t belong, abandoned.  Maybe that’s why our cellphones have become so important to so many of us or why we spend so much time on facebook and other forms of social media. Maybe that’s why some of us remain in relationships that have become toxic, manipulative and destructive. We can’t bear to feel rejected and alone.

 In Sunday’s gospel from John we have the third section of Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist. His Jewish audience is shocked and scandalized at Jesus’ words; it sounds like cannibalism to them. They don’t yet understand the signs of bread and wine as flesh and blood. Then he concludes with the great promise, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” A Catholic who partakes of the Eucharist can never be alone, never be rejected or abandoned. The Lord is constantly living within us, loving us just as we are and supporting us in all we do. He Is our best and ultimate friend.

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.