Category Archives: Lent

Plan A

Posted on March 15, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

I was invited into the desert with You,led there by the Spiritinto a barren placewith no food. You were temptedto turn stones into bread.You could have done it,but you refused. If I could have,I would have.Why wait for God to … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mindfulness, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Alfred Stieglitz, Esther Hizsa, Georgia O'Keeffe, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Lawrence OP, Living from the Heart, Nan C. Merrill, Patience, Psalm 3, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, stones into bread, temptation in wilderness, waiting | Leave a comment

What Must I Do to Be Good?

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, Christ's Appearance to the Two Disciples Journeying to Emmaus, Esther Hizsa, Heinrich Hofmann, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, John Linnell, lent, Living from the Heart, Louis Savary, Prayer of Imagination, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, The New Spiritual Excercises | Leave a comment

Ash Wednesday

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

Pilgrimage Ash Wednesday He’s on the road waiting for me today we begin a forty-day walk to Jerusalem I lace up my shoes and follow from a safe distance but it’s bound to happen His eyes will … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Poetry, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Ash Wednesday, Brian Whelan, Lenten Poem, Lenten Reflection, Luke 9:51, pilgrimage, Pilgrimage of Sight, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, The Way | Leave a comment

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

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

Wounded Goodness

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Ignatius asks us to see how Jesus on the cross identifies with wounded creation and accepts the task of reparation, healing and transforming the damage we have been doing to ourselves and our planet. Ignatius would say Jesus loves us … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, faux_digit, Ignatius of Loyola, Julian of Norwich, Louis Savary, Mirabai Starr, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Rene, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The New Spiritual Excercises, The Showings of Julian of Norwich, Wounded Goodness | 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 →