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 1/24/20

January 23, 2020  /  Joe Parisi

Challenge of Christian Unity

In this Sunday's Gospel we are told that Jesus, although having been baptized by John, does not begin his public preaching until after John’s arrest. It's as if Jesus did not want to be seen in contention with John's work and instead tried to avoid any type of conflict, divisions and dissent with John and his disciples. Moreover shortly before while John is in prison, he sends some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he is indeed “the expected” one. Jesus responds to their questioning by telling them to go back and report to John what they are seeing of Jesus and his works.

When John’s disciples depart, Jesus proclaims to his own followers his great estimation of John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet truly…. I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist!” (Matthew 11.7-11)

In fact throughout his public ministry Jesus shows his appreciation and understanding of the work that John is doing.

In the second reading for this Sunday, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, we perhaps see why Jesus was so concerned not to alienate John’s followers and to avoid divisions. Paul is speaking to the community at Corinth, probably less than 20 years after the resurrection of Christ. There are already divisions within the Corinthian community, and people are arguing and competing with one another. What has been come important to some is not the Good News they have received, but rather whose disciples were responsible for bringing them to their belief in Jesus, e.g. those of Paul, or Cephas, or Apollos.

Such divisions, squabbles and arguments have been within the Christian community from the very beginning and unfortunately are still very much with us today. They can diminish our appreciation of the gift we have in Christ’s and distract us from the heart of his message of service and love for our neighbor. Jesus aware of this danger prayed to his Father: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they may also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21) We have so much work to do to bring about this unity and let us pray that the Holy Spirit inspire and enable each of us to do our part.

Jim Blumeyer, S.J.