Author Archives: Esther Hizsa

About Esther Hizsa

Esther is a writer, spiritual director, and cofacilitates contemplative retreats and courses. She lives in Vernon, B.C. with her husband, Fred.

Good and Glory

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It is finished. Jesus has died. His body is lowered down from the cross and taken to the tomb. On Easter Saturday, we hold vigil with everyone who is grieving the loss of Christ’s presence. Those bright days of miracles … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent | Tagged Devotion, Easter Saturday, Esther Hizsa, Gone is the Light, Gord Johnson, Holy Saturday, John 14:28, John 1:5, LIving Flame of Love, Luke 11:11-13, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell, The Dark Night of the Soul | Leave a comment

O Sacred Friend Now Wounded

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Now you are lifted up and alone, O Sacred Friend. You are every person who has ever been condemned, battered, betrayed, or abandoned. You bear all our suffering and every consequence for the suffering we caused. “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent | Tagged Crucifixion 2, Esther Hizsa, Jesus down from the cross, Luke 23:34, Michael D. O'Brien, O Sacred Head, Rene, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Dark Night of the Soul | Leave a comment

A Smelly, Sweet Encounter

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Perhaps it wasn’t until Jesus and his disciples sat down to eat their evening meal that they noticed the unpleasant aroma of street and feet. I can imagine them all, tired from the day, edgy and irritated with each other, avoiding eye … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent | Tagged Dirck van Baburen, dirty feet, Esther Hizsa, foot washing, Jesus Washing the Apostles' Feet, John 13, LIving Flame of Love, Maundy Thursday, rbairdpccam, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Tassoman. flames | Leave a comment

The End of a Story

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

On each of my dyings,shed your light and your love.–Soul of Christ Prayer, paraphrased by David L. Fleming I’m haunted by the ending of a story.The boy dies from his compulsion to save the earth.The father can’t save his son;he … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, John 12:24, Luke 9:23-24, Sing Over Me, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Porter's Gate | Leave a comment

Free

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

O Beloved, how numerous are my fears!They rise up within me whisperingthere is no help for you. Yet You, O Beloved,are a shield about me…When I cry out to You,You answer within my heart.–Psalm 3:1-4 Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Esther Hizsa, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 3, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Courage and Curiosity

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

For my courage is in You, O Love, You who are the Lover hidden in every heart. –Psalm 3:6 Paraphrase by Nan C. Merrill,Psalms for Praying People do things that annoy and disturb us,challenge and hurt us. Sometimes Wisdom says,“Keep your distance.Stay out … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Annoyed, Christopher, Esther Hizsa, Game of chicken, Michael Neel, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 31-7-8, Psalms for Praying, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Wounded Goodness

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Ignatius asks us to see how Jesus on the cross identifies with wounded creation and accepts the task of reparation, healing and transforming the damage we have been doing to ourselves and our planet. Ignatius would say Jesus loves us … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, faux_digit, Ignatius of Loyola, Julian of Norwich, Louis Savary, Mirabai Starr, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Rene, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The New Spiritual Excercises, The Showings of Julian of Norwich, Wounded Goodness | Leave a comment

The Suffering We Choose

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

I cannot promisethis blessing will free youfrom danger,from fear,from hungeror thirst,from the scorchingof sunor the fallof the night.–Jan Richardson, Beloved Is Where We Begin The blessing of being God’s belovedwill not free usfrom suffering– suffering that comes unbidden,the suffering of our … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Reflections | Tagged Beloved Is Where We Begin, Esther Hizsa, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., Jan Richardson, Luke 10:33-34, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Good Samaritan, tim kubacki | Leave a comment

This Road

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

I can tell youthat you will knowthe strange gracesthat come to our aidonly on a roadsuch as this–Jan Richardson, Beloved Is Where We Begin If You are telling me one thingas I begin my Lenten journey,it is that I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Alejandro Espinosa, Beloved Is Where We Begin, Camino, Esther Hizsa, Fresco Tours, Jan Richardson, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

There It Is Again

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It’s therewhen you spill your teajust when you thoughtThis time, I’ll be on time for my meeting,there again,when judgment announces your mistakeafter the fact,and there toowhen you lie awake at nighttrying and failingto find a wayto make things work. It’s … Continue reading →