Category Archives: Lent

What I Heard Before Falling Asleep

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

On the daymy sister ended a Zoom callwith a heartfelt “I love you,” a directee dried her eyes and said, “Thank you,” the warm embrace of a friendstill lingered in my body, the rain stopped long enoughfor me to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes, Joachim Dobler, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 23:5, Psalms for Praying, Red squirrel, Robert Taylor, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

A Blessing for When You’re in the Wilderness

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. —Matthew 4:1 (NIV) On the day the Spirit leads you into the wilderness,may you know it was a Friend that led you thereand that … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Aaron Schock, angel, Briton Rivièr, Cale Woodley, Esther Hizsa, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Matthew 4, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Psalm 63:1, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Temptation in the Wilderness, Time | 1 Comment

Redeemed

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

“I need your help,” I said to Fred who was barely awake. “I made a big mistake.” I drew back the curtains to let in the light. “You know that highchair at the church that I thought was too old … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Bruce Fingerhood, Cale Woodley, Coming Home, donds, Dumpster, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, jump for joy, Lenten retreat, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Time | Leave a comment

The Journey of Friendship

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Recently, a friend let me know they were upset. As I listened, I learned how upset they were and that it was partly because of something I didn’t do. I was grateful that they told me. It was hard for … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Best Friends, Cale Woodley, Clint Budd, Esther Hizsa, friends, Ian Sane, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Pond water, Proverbs 17:17, Ruth Haley Barton, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Time | 2 Comments

That’s What Love Does

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged 1 John 4:8, Deuteronomy 31:6, Ephesians 3:14-21, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, I love my father, Lenten Prayer Practice, Luke 15:11-31, Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 17:1-13, Matthew 7:7-11, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Yvette T. | 7 Comments

The Standoff

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Such a familiar place,this standoff betweenthe part of me that wants to andthe part that doesn’t I can list all the good reasons why I need to do thisbut something in me has shut the door leans her body against it and yells, … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Lent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Andy Simonds, DK, Edwin M. McMahon, Eric Magnuson, Esther Hizsa, Glennon Doyle, Peter Campbell, Rediscovering the Lost Body-Connection within Christian Spirituality, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, standoff, The Open Door, We can do hard things. | Leave a comment

Left-Handed in a Right-Handed World

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I do that, I thought. And that. And that sounds familiar. Unease, enlightenment, and caffeine gently pulsed in my veins. When my friend referred to herself as neurodivergent, I reached out with a “me too” and suggested we get together … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, autism, community, compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged ADHD, autism, Birds on a Wire, diversity, Esther Hizsa, Jerry McFarland, Julie Falk, neurodivergent, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Certainty and Clarity

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

We are gathered in a circle,and a question isplaced before us. Memories comevivid and sharpof feelingweighted by expectationconfined by shouldsinadequate when I failed. I sense a groaning, a churninga pushing againsta wanting release. I give words to my nocertainthat it’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Lent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged ¡¡¡última pieza!!!, Center for Action and Contemplation, certainty, clarity, Cynthia Bourgeault, Esther Hizsa, Olga Berrios, puzzle, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Third Way | Leave a comment

It Isn’t That Easy

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

It isn’t that easy. Jesus asks, “Are you coming?” I say, “Yes.” And then what? I’m not instantly empowered like a superhero released from the kryptonite of salt and sugar, egoic desires, or negative thoughts. Taking Jesus’ hand won’t prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Father Damian, feeling our feelings, Isaiah 43:2, John 16:33, just.Luc, kath, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Superhero invasion, waling on water | 1 Comment

Are You Coming?

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I loved the look of satisfaction on Jesus’ face. We just fed five thousand men, plus women and children, with one boy’s lunch of bread and fish. The scene continued to unfold in my imagination as I prayed with this … Continue reading →