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.

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Weekend Reflections for 9/13/19

September 13, 2019  /  Joe Parisi

The Most Insidious Temptation

 

All three of this Sunday's scripture readings center on the mercy and the forgiveness of our God throughout salvation history. In the Psalms there is the constant refrain that "his love and his mercy are above all his works." In our second reading (Timothy 1, 12-1) we have St. Paul marveling at God's mercy towards him especially after the manner in which he had persecuted the early Church. And in the gospel reading (Luke 15), Jesus gives us three different parables each emphasizing that in our repentance and turning away from sin, that these occasions are for the heavenly hosts joyous moments of celebration.

 

So why is this reflection entitled the most insidious temptation? In my mind the spirit of evil, the enemy, is never more successful than when he convinces someone to believe that the evil he/she has committed is so horrible, so terrible, that the sin cannot be forgiven, that it is unforgivable, not only by ourselves and others but especially not by our God. More than anything else the enemy is trying to get us to turn our back on God's love and mercy. He does not want us to see and appreciate that Christ lived his life, suffered and died for us in the cross, so that we might have forgiveness of our sins and fully enjoy his life.

In a moments of such darkness and temptation we need to try with all of our prayers and tears to keep before our minds and hearts Jesus on the cross pouring out his life for us.

 

-Fr. Jim Blumeyer, SJ