Category Archives: compassion

Today

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?–John L. Bell, The Summons On the fifth morning after moving into the seniors’ residence,my dad enjoyed getting … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged crom shin, Esther Hizsa, John L.Bell, marneejill, Morning, Psalm 139:10, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Summons, Trail walking | 2 Comments

In the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When we imagine surrendering our life to God, we often brace ourselves for unwanted change. Of course, we do, fearful creatures that we are. But after I asked God to take and receive my life at the end of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Glacier National Park, naserke, Psalm 23:4, Rogers Pass, Shepherd and His Flock, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tobias Nordhausen | 2 Comments

Caregivers

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I have been an independent womandoing what I like since I became an adult. Then suddenly I becamea caregiver.Now, my life is not my own.My thoughts are about someone else–their needs, their health. Life as I knew it was swept off … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged caregivers, Chronic Joy, Esther Hizsa, Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law, John 21:18, Rembrandt, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 7 Comments

Calling in the Angels

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

The rhythm of the everyday pilgrim includes coffee in the morning and a spacious amount of time to quiet her mind and open her heartto meet God in silence. Her Rule of Life reminds her toget outside, eat well,and look for God in … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Prayer, Reflections, Writing | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Psalm 139:8, Sharon Sperry Bloom, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tularosa is beautiful | 1 Comment

State of Emergency

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Fires out of control Smoky skies, scratchy throat Bags packed and ready to evacuate Lord, have mercy. Diagnosis Prognosis Chemo Side effects 70-80 percent successful She’s the one the doctor’s talking to Lord, have mercy. Clutching a cardboard sign on … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Homelessness, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged AKASH U.K, Always With Me, candle, Esther Hizsa, Kelowna wild fires, Paul Zach, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 5 Comments

Embraced in the Deep Love of Jesus

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Imagining ourselves in a gospel story with Jesus is risky. After all, if we stick to the script, we might hear Jesus can say something demanding, harsh or cold. Before Jesus fed the 5000, he told the disciples, “You give … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mystical, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Esther Hizsa, John 8:1-11, Julian of Norwich, Lulu Lovering, Mark 4:40, Matthew 14:16, Matthew 14:31, Samuel T. Francis, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The First Bird Back, Ucluelet | Leave a comment

An Irrational Fear

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

After Julian of Norwich encountered Jesus in her near-death experience, she wrote down what happened and continued to reflect on the revelations of Christ’s love that she received. Then she wrote about these “showings.” That got me thinking: what if … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Gabor Maté, James Finley, John 1:14, Julian of Norwich, Scattered Minds, Sitting in Silence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Turning to the Mystics | 1 Comment

How Sin Is Both Something and No Thing

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

This week I offer you two quotes about sin from Turning to the Mystics podcast on Julian of Norwich. Mirabai Starr, who translated The Showings of Julian of Norwich, said: “’Sin has not a particle of substance. It is no … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged A K M Adam, AKMAdam, Center for Action and Contemplation, Drooping Flower, Esther Hizsa, Freddie Brown, Isaiah 42:3, James Finley, Julian of Norwich, Mirabai Starr, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Turning to the Mystics | 1 Comment

Take and Receive

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

What does it mean to surrender myself to Love,to ask God to take and receive my life,and follow Christ into suffering? On the road to discovering thatI’m learning that it’s not saying yes to every need that arisesyet it’s being … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged David Benner, Dr. Matthias Ripp, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 40:11, Jesus the Good Shepherd, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Surrender, Surrender to Love | 3 Comments

Moments: Part 2

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

You, my dear reader, might think that when life-changing stuff like this happens that it would be so easy to meet God in prayer on retreat,but it was not. I struggled to stay present. A couple of times I fell asleep. … Continue reading →