Category Archives: community

Here

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Sometimes being herefeels like I’m in the wrong placeas if I could look at a map and backtrackto where I’m supposed to be.But there’s no map for the contemplative journey,let alone my contemplative journey. “Here,” the wise ones say,“is the … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Would You Like to Do?

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

“I don’t want to be here,” my insides were shouting. For months, I disregarded my feelings and kept doing what I should, what a good Christian would. Then in Advent, God, who hears my thoughts and feels my feelings, asked … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Preparing the Way Home

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

From the moment I stepped into this chapel, it felt like home. Wood, stone, glass, and flame together breathed a silent welcome. . . . Advent invites us to prepare the way for the Holy One who comes to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, community, compassion, Creation, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Safe

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“You are joy. You’re our hope. You are gen-tle-ness.”  Then I heard the Poor Clares sing, “You are safe-ty” and teared up. I noticed the impact the word “safety” had on my body and remembered a similar sensation I’d had … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, community, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When You Are In Over Your Head

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said to Sally after she shared the news that her mother was dying. “Don’t worry about the retreat. I’ll find someone to fill in for you.” She’d been looking forward to co-facilitating the … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gifts of Joy

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

On the ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay, I checked my emails. Among them, was a yes in response to an urgent plea. The relief I felt was delicious. The weather held and I was able to ride the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Way God Is Transforming Me

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Even your own life is not your business. It is also God’s business. Leave it to God. –Frederick Buechner, Telling Secrets So I left my life in God’s hands and trusted that if I kept listening to God’s still small … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Fourth Event

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

On Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, the fourth big event chronicled in the New Testament. Christmas names the first one: the incarnation of Christ. God comes into our lives–into our joy and suffering. They called him Immanuel, “God with us.” Reading the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, community, Creation, Easter, Homelessness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Being Counted

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“I talked to a nurse practitioner about my gastric reflux,” I said to my spiritual director. “I changed my diet, don’t eat after supper and raised the head of our bed. And that’s not all I’ve been doing to care … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

God’s Favourites

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“When you turn to your partner for the next part of the dance, don’t make a meal of it. There’s another partner waiting to greet you. The Divine in them and wants to bless the Divine in you,” Allaudin (aka … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment