Category Archives: Advent

Advent I: Hope

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Hope God, you come like the persistent widow and knock on my door. You keep knocking, wearing me down with your pleas until I do right. You come like the friend at midnight calling me out of bed to give my neighbour what they … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry | Tagged 5-8, Esther Hizsa, First Sunday in Advent, Luke 11, Luke 18:1-8, Mark 13:35-37, Matthew 25:1-13, Psalm 23, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, Ten Virgins 07, Waiting for the Word | Leave a comment

From Weakness to Weakness

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

There is a dog in Loyola House that soothes the aching soul. Perhaps you’ve heard of the “balm in Gilead that makes the wounded whole”? Apparently someone at Loyola House in Guelph, Ontario has a dog who does the same thing. People who go there for … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged David Locke, dog in a manger, Esther Hizsa, Jackie Bouchard, needy, Pooch Smooches, Psalm 84, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, weakness of God | 2 Comments

Weakness: The Heart of Belonging

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

My old friend, Insecurity, showed up again when I attended a two-day SoulStream board meeting. Even though I was among people who are open, accepting, and kind, I felt uneasy. Someone mentioned a book I hadn’t read or music I hadn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 2 Corinthians 12:9, Aimee Ray, belonging, Dolly Rainbow, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, God was weak, Hugo van der Goes, needy, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Adoration of the Shepherds, weakness of God | Leave a comment

The God We Got

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

God could have come with battle lines drawn, an army of trumpeting archangels, and a legion of patriarchs. But God came in vulnerability, a baby without a home . . . –from “The Arrival” by Ann Siddall Why did God … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Ann Siddall, Dave & Lorelle, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer & Co, God wants to be held, Holding Hands, Luke 11:27-28, Plum leaves, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Arrival, The Nativity, weakness of God | 2 Comments

God Became Weak

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“O come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,” we sing. We too “mourn in lowly exile here” until the Son of God appears. We long for God to come in power and right our injustice, heal our ills, dispel our confusion, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Cry of Life, Esther Hizsa, God was weak, Madonna Mary and Baby Jesus, needy, Sander van der Wel, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waiting for the Word, weakness of God, What Child Is This? | 3 Comments

Satisfying the Desires of All

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“Insights are a dime a dozen,” Father Richard explained to the small gathering of spiritual directors last Sunday afternoon. “It doesn’t matter so much what an experience in prayer means; what matters is that we stay with God in it.” Relief washed … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Spiritual Direction | Tagged Advent, Esther Hizsa, Father Richard Soo, kidney transplant, Psalm 145:16, Ron Frehner, Royce Bair, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, vintage Christmas card | 2 Comments

Where I Am

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” sings Andy Williams over the store’s loud speakers. I can’t get out of the mall fast enough. On my walk home, I remember that it’s the second week of Advent, and we still haven’t put up our … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas | Tagged Advent, Esther Hizsa, Fra Angelico, Isaiah 40:11, Journey Home, Liturgical Works, Matthew 18:12-13, More Than A Roof, Paul Townsend, Scrooge, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Good Shepherd | 7 Comments

This Annunciation

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

This Annunciation I was the angel chosen to greet the one with God in her womb. Light illuminated her face her hands her words light warm with wonder hushed held my soul yet no Fra Angelico will ever paint this annunciation … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry | Tagged Advent, Annunciation, Esther Hizsa, Fra Angelico, Luke 1:26-38, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

God Desires Us

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“You can’t catch the Macdonald bus here,” a man says to me at the VCC-Clark Skytrain Station in Vancouver. “You need to go up to Clark.” I hurry up Sixth Avenue. It’s early Saturday morning and I need to get to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged #22 Macdonald, Advent, Creation of Adam, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, He Desired Me Sio I Came Close, Love Poems from God, Sistine Chapel, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Teresa of Avila | 3 Comments

The Word Became Flesh

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Emmanuel when Jesus came he didn’t sneak in through the back door of poverty selling magic tricks for applause no Jesus came poor entered every day of every life and never left The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into … Continue reading →