Category Archives: Easter

Good and Glory

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It is finished. Jesus has died. His body is lowered down from the cross and taken to the tomb. On Easter Saturday, we hold vigil with everyone who is grieving the loss of Christ’s presence. Those bright days of miracles … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent | Tagged Devotion, Easter Saturday, Esther Hizsa, Gone is the Light, Gord Johnson, Holy Saturday, John 14:28, John 1:5, LIving Flame of Love, Luke 11:11-13, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell, The Dark Night of the Soul | Leave a comment

O Sacred Friend Now Wounded

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Now you are lifted up and alone, O Sacred Friend. You are every person who has ever been condemned, battered, betrayed, or abandoned. You bear all our suffering and every consequence for the suffering we caused. “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent | Tagged Crucifixion 2, Esther Hizsa, Jesus down from the cross, Luke 23:34, Michael D. O'Brien, O Sacred Head, Rene, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Dark Night of the Soul | Leave a comment

A Smelly, Sweet Encounter

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Perhaps it wasn’t until Jesus and his disciples sat down to eat their evening meal that they noticed the unpleasant aroma of street and feet. I can imagine them all, tired from the day, edgy and irritated with each other, avoiding eye … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent | Tagged Dirck van Baburen, dirty feet, Esther Hizsa, foot washing, Jesus Washing the Apostles' Feet, John 13, LIving Flame of Love, Maundy Thursday, rbairdpccam, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Tassoman. flames | Leave a comment

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

Always

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

The disciples were scared spitlesswhen You sent them off two by two to preach and perform miracleswithout You.But they did it and came back full of joy with stories as long as Your arm. Then when You were arrested, beaten and … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Carivaggio, Esther Hizsa, Father Lawrence Lew, Frederick Buechner, Oh No!, Sent Out, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Ascension of Our Lord, The Incredulity of St. Thomas, The Sacred Journey | 1 Comment

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

A Little Resurrection

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I was all packed and ready to go. But not quite. I needed to go over a couple of sessions I would lead during the Living from the Heart course one more time. Now I had a spacious hour that … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Mindfulness, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Allium, Easter, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 30:15, Living from the Heart, Marcy Leigh, Michael Levine-Clark, Pothos, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 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 →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Bernard Dupont, Esther Hizsa, Gordon Johnson, Michael Levine-Clark, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Vervet Monkeys | 4 Comments

The Unholy Three

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Fear is a powerful ally.It curbs my behaviour, motivates me, and keeps me safe.Would I be as nice if I didn’t fear judgment?Would I prepare and work so hard if I didn’t fear failure?Would I watch what I eat and … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, compassion, Easter, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Eastertide, Esther Hizsa, Heather Ruce, Jim Forest, Luke 12:29-32, Rublev Trinity, sparrows, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, super hero, The Unholy Three | Leave a comment

My Suffering

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Sadness crept closer with each chapter I read. Then it slipped in beside me when the father left too. It was still there the next day and the day after that. Sadness kept coming in through the tiny crack of … Continue reading →