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.
In March I was able to get away to Bowen Island for a few days of solitude. Often when I retreat there, I sit in the cottage watching the rain come and go. But this time it was sunny and … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Baptism of Christ, boxer bob, Dustin Gaffke, Esther Hizsa, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., luke 3: 21 22, PT Money, Sparkling Water, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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I was talking with a friend about how we need to radically welcome the “other”–those who are different and make us feel uncomfortable. Rev.Stephanie Spellers says, “We need them in our lives and communities for our salvation.” “How do they save us?” … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Acts 3:6, Art College Doormats, Esther Hizsa, Friday Requirement, good people, Marja Bergen, Martin Cathrae, Nicolas Poussin, Radical Welcome, rejection, Saints Peter and John Healing the Lame Man, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephanie Spellers
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Something significant has happened to me a few times now. After a full day, unprocessed feelings can hang over me like a grey cloud. The theme of the conversation in my head often includes some disappointment in myself. I know these negative thoughts dissipate … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Blue Skies of Scottsdale, Brooding Sky, consolation, desolation, Dru Bloomfield, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spirituality, Ignatius of Loyola, Jesus and Mary, John 20:16, Resurrection Day, Ridolfo Ghirlandaio, scyrene, spiritual deception, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephen Rossetti, The Procession to Calvary, When the Lion Roars
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This earth, this world that God loves so much, is beautiful and broken. I have been asking God to show me ways I can participate in healing our planet. As I read and listen for God’s direction, I begin to see small steps I … Continue reading →
Posted in Creation, Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Reflections, Spiritual Direction
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Tagged A Rocha, care for creation, Earth Day, Ecological Examen, Esther Hizsa, Evgeni Zotov, FarbenfroheWunderwelt, Jason Major, Joseph Carver, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thich Naht Hanh
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On April 6 friend and mentor Rob Des Cotes passed into glory. Rob was a pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader as well as a husband, father, and grandfather, musician, writer and artist. Hearing God’s call to go deeper in contemplative … Continue reading →
Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories
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Tagged Chris Niekel, Donna Geissler, fear, God's love, Imago Dei Communities, immersed in God's love, leaky bucket, ocean of love, Psalm 139:18, Rob Des Cotes, Sandy Beach, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waves, weakness
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After I got over the shock of discovering I’m one of “those people,” I began to wonder about the distinctions I make. What constitutes being “those people” anyway? We easily divide people into two kinds: life-giving people and life-draining people cup half-full people and cup … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged A Firm Place to Stand, bad people, Esther Hizsa, good people, Living Room, Luke 15:1-6, Marja Bergen, Radical Welcome, Reflections for Our Highs and Lows, rejection, Riding the Roller Coaster, Sanctuary Mental Health Minstries, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephanie Spellers
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The woman interrupted me mid-sentence. “You need to know that something you said two years ago really hurt me.” I stood there stunned by the pain on her face and the anger in her voice. She told me what I’d said … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, humility, Imercer, Isaiah 43: 16, Isaiah 43: 19, Jason R. Goode, Numb, Olivier Noirhomme, snowy chain, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Francis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux
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“The Incredulity of St. Thomas” by Caravaggio, 1601-2 The Incredulity of Thomas Incredulity. Words are wasted on his impenetrable mind: “Unless I see, unless I touch.” Incredulity guards the heart seals the tomb from disappointment. “Thomas!” Voice charged, words spark. “See. … Continue reading →
Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Poetry
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Tagged Caravaggio, Christ Has Risen, doubt, Easter, Easter poem, faith in Christ, incredulity, John 20:24-29, resurrection, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Incredulity of St. Thomas, Thomas
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Homeless they take him down from the cross his PUTcold body pierced PUTbruised mouth silenced PUTsoft eyes blind as he began now at end PUTwrapped in cloth strips PUTlaid in wrong place helpless God stone heaved tomb sealed sudden scream PUTmine guards curse push me PUT“Go home!” can’t have … Continue reading →
Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Popular Posts
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Tagged Caravaggio, Christ has died, Easter Saturday, Entombment of Christ, Holy Saturday, homeless, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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I look at the naked, bloodied body next to me. “What’s he doing here?” A sinless man is being crucified beside us: me on his left, the other criminal on his right. The crucified always die in disgrace, our lives held up as negative examples. Yet, he is good. People call him rabbi, … Continue reading →
Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Stories
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Tagged Anima Christi, Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, crucifixion, David L. Fleming SJ, Good Friday, Heinrich Hoffmann, Luke 23; 32-46, Soul of Christ, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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