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 8/2/19

August 01, 2019  /  Joe Parisi

The Foolish Farmer 

Sunday’s readings are a stark reminder of who we truly are, God’s beloved children who have come from Him and one day are destined to return to Him. In the meantime all is gift. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus tells us “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Then he tells the story of the very successful farmer who builds bigger barns to hold his valuable harvest, only to meet God that night. We all know the expressions: you can’t take it with you and you never see a hearse with a U-Haul trailer behind it. In a conservative branch of the Jewish faith they have the ritual of one day a year wearing their burial garment and it has no pockets, similar to the Catholic Ash Wednesday. The message is clear: remember who you are.

We will be judged not by how much we have accumulated, earned or control but by how much we have loved others and been loved. We are defined not by our possessions but by our relationships. Things can intrigue and satisfy us for a while but Love lasts forever.

 

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.