Category Archives: Lent

A Smelly, Sweet Encounter

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

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

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Hosanna!

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

How do we respond to such an exquisite display of love? Jesus, seated on a donkey, resolutely rides into Jerusalem knowing he will die there. Both he and the saint who is showing him the way are holding a scroll. The word … Continue reading →

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A Spark of Something Holy

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Fred and I have been attending a little Anglican Church in our neighbourhood. For Lent we joined a group that has been gathering after church to discuss Brian McLaren’s new book, We Make the Road by Walking. One chapter focused … Continue reading →

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Smitten

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“God is smitten with us,” Steve Bell said between songs at a recent concert. “Lent is about love and returning to the Lover who is absolutely smitten with us.” To get us in the mood for Lent, Steve sang love … Continue reading →

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Returning to the Well

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

After the Samaritan woman talked with Jesus at the well, her life changed dramatically. From then on, I bet she kept an eye out for him whenever she went to get water. I can even imagine them having more conversations that weren’t recorded in scripture. In … Continue reading →

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Sharing the Weight, Revealing the Glory

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

When I told a friend about my dream, she was moved by what came out of it. “Why do you think God gave you that dream now?” she asked. “That’s a very good question,” I said. We both knew it was a question … Continue reading →

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The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I dream that I’m at an event in an unfamiliar place. I find a list of the seminars offered and choose one to attend. But when I go to check the room number, the schedule is gone. Now, what do … Continue reading →

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The End of Ordinary Time

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

  It’s the end of Ordinary Time in the church year. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. For the next forty days, like many Christians, I will give up something I enjoy, so that I can identify in some small way with Christ’s … Continue reading →

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Christ Has Died

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Homeless they take him down from the cross his PUTcold body pierced PUTbruised mouth silenced PUTsoft eyes blind as he began now at end PUTwrapped in cloth strips PUTlaid in wrong place helpless God stone heaved tomb sealed sudden scream PUTmine guards curse push me PUT“Go home!” can’t have … Continue reading →

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With Christ in Glory

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I look at the naked, bloodied body next to me. “What’s he doing here?” A sinless man is being crucified beside us: me on his left, the other criminal on his right. The crucified always die in disgrace, our lives held up as negative examples. Yet, he is good. People called him rabbi, healer, … Continue reading →

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