Category Archives: compassion

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 →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 8 day retreat, Daniel of Uranc, Esther Hizsa, Fritz von Uhde, Ignatius of Loyola, Loaves and fishes, Luke 24:13-35, Mark 6:34-44, Mark 8:27-30, Road to Emmaus, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. James the Greater Catholic Church, Take and Receive, Thomas Merton, Walking on water | 1 Comment

Falling in Love

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

How can I go off-grid for eight days while our priest was away? I had heard that the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver was offering another eight-day retreat. I considered going, but I’m one of the churchwardens who, along with … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Fall in love stay in love, Father Richard Soo, Fr. Joseph P. Whelan, heart in sand, Irene Fennema, Jan Evans, Living from the Heart, pxfuel, Soul of Christ, SoulStream, SoulStream Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

I Am Enough

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When someone expresses their love for me, I wonder, what did I do to deserve it? What have I become that evokes the appreciation of others? Then, unconsciously, I set out to do more of that, be more of that. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged 1 Corinthians 13:7, A Life of Being Having and Doing Enough, EFT, Esther Hizsa, 越/Yue 胡/HU, heart, Jeremiah 31:3, Joe Green, love, Luke 15, Mark Nepo, Nick Ortner, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tapping, The Book of Awakening, Wayne Muller | 4 Comments

Coming Home

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Sometimes I feel likeevery part of me’s beenflung up in the airand caughtin slow motion floating, swirlingand falling leisurelydown to earth. Transitions are hard. Departures and arrivals unsettle me.I have to let it be and wait with You until all these parts of mefall … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged All Parts Welcome, beach, beach pebbles, Elizabeth Gilbert, Esther Hizsa, Ib Aarmo, Matthew Henry, pebbles, Psalm 18:16-19, Richard Schwartz, Sounds True, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tami Simon | 3 Comments

Less

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I feel gratefulon sunny dayswhen more is given than I hoped for or imagined. But not so much on days that are less than great,with tedious moments and stress,disappointmentsand sadnessI can’t escape. I want to change the channel,change the scenery,change everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Aging, autism, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Audrey Assad, boredom, Esther Hizsa, Gustave Thibon, Landlady, MissTitty, Restless, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tom Wuest, U2, Underneath the Shadow | 4 Comments

Just Sit There and Let Me Love You

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When my eyelid started twitching, I knew my body was stressed. “You can slow down,” I heard God say to me in a spiritual direction session. That week, with the same tender concern Pastor Ruth said, “You don’t have to … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alex O'Neal, Eastertide, Esther Hizsa, Girl Seated on Hillside, I hear coffee, jojo 77, Psalm 131:2, raccoon, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Winslow Homer | Leave a comment

Notice Me

Posted on May 5, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

As soon as the participants started arriving at the retreat centreI noticed something in meelbowed to the front and shoved my self aside. She wanted a hug from everyone and pouted when she didn’t get it.At the dinner table,she told … Continue reading →