Category Archives: compassion

The End of a Story

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

On each of my dyings,shed your light and your love.–Soul of Christ Prayer, paraphrased by David L. Fleming I’m haunted by the ending of a story.The boy dies from his compulsion to save the earth.The father can’t save his son;he … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, John 12:24, Luke 9:23-24, Sing Over Me, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Porter's Gate | Leave a comment

Free

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

O Beloved, how numerous are my fears!They rise up within me whisperingthere is no help for you. Yet You, O Beloved,are a shield about me…When I cry out to You,You answer within my heart.–Psalm 3:1-4 Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Esther Hizsa, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 3, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Courage and Curiosity

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

For my courage is in You, O Love, You who are the Lover hidden in every heart. –Psalm 3:6 Paraphrase by Nan C. Merrill,Psalms for Praying People do things that annoy and disturb us,challenge and hurt us. Sometimes Wisdom says,“Keep your distance.Stay out … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Annoyed, Christopher, Esther Hizsa, Game of chicken, Michael Neel, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 31-7-8, Psalms for Praying, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

The Suffering We Choose

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

I cannot promisethis blessing will free youfrom danger,from fear,from hungeror thirst,from the scorchingof sunor the fallof the night.–Jan Richardson, Beloved Is Where We Begin The blessing of being God’s belovedwill not free usfrom suffering– suffering that comes unbidden,the suffering of our … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Reflections | Tagged Beloved Is Where We Begin, Esther Hizsa, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., Jan Richardson, Luke 10:33-34, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Good Samaritan, tim kubacki | Leave a comment

There It Is Again

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It’s therewhen you spill your teajust when you thoughtThis time, I’ll be on time for my meeting,there again,when judgment announces your mistakeafter the fact,and there toowhen you lie awake at nighttrying and failingto find a wayto make things work. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Hoa Nguyen, Let's open the door, powerlessness, Psalm 3:3, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Superman, [RG] | 2 Comments

Naked Among the Tombs

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Believing you’re lovedis easy if you’re the demoniac in the story.Jesus meets you living naked among the tombs,a danger to yourself and others,and then restores you in mind, body and spirit,clothes you,and returns you to your loved ones.A story book … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 1 John 1:5, Christian.Rudman, Esther Hizsa, Garesene demoniac, Luke 8:26-39, Nick Thompson, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stillness | 2 Comments

When the Dove Descends

Posted on January 27, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

When the dove descended on Jesusand a voice from heaven declaredin the presence of many witnesses,“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”did Jesus believe it? Perhaps the Holy Spirit led him into the desert so he could listen … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mystical, Reflections | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, i John 3:1, José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior, Matthew 3:13-17, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The baptism of Christ | Leave a comment

A World Filled with Love

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

He showed me a little thing, the size of a hazelnut, in the palm of my hand, and it was as round as a ball. I looked at it with my mind’s eye and I thought, “What can this be?” … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Colin Hansen, Esther Hizsa, hazelnut, Julian of Norwich, Milky Waters, Rainer Maria Rilke, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Virginia Wieringa | 4 Comments

Always

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Before He said the words,before I was lowered through the roof,before I became sick and paralyzed,before my first transgression,before I was even born,I was loved.I was forgiven. Before I picked up my matand walked,I was whole.I was enough.I didn’t need … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Habakkuk 2:14, Harold Copping, Hawaii, healing of the paralytic, Mark 2:1-12, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stnley Zimmy | Leave a comment

Mistake

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.–Rainer Maria Rilke It seemed like a good idea at the time.Even afterwardsI could see the gift in it until I saw it through another person’s eyes. … Continue reading →