Category Archives: Poetry

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

Love Is Found Here

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

For love and freedom are only found when one enjoys each note as it arises,then allows it to go, so as to be fully receptive in the notes that follow.–Anthony de Mello, Stop Fixing Yourself, 130. Each note–this lovely one,that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Anthony de Mello, David L. Fleming SJ, Dr Wendy Longo, Esther Hizsa, I Am Here., I am Home., Insight Timer, Ivan Rigamonti, Moments, Sarah Blondin, Soul of Christ, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stop Fixing Yourself, Zurich Moments | Leave a comment

If I Believed That

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father,and you are in me, and I am in you.— John 14:20 (NIV) What if that day was today,and today, I woke up and realized this is true? What … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Cat-Bliss, Esther Hizsa, Etolane, Finding God in all things, Funkybug, John 14:20, Joy Is Measurable, Sister Anne Arabome, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Turn to Wonder

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

“I have wonderful news:the Hoped-for-One,the Birthing you’ve longed forin the depths of your soul,has come, oh yes, has come!”— Joyce Rupp Really?I can’t see it happening.I long to be birthed into long stretches of unrattled moments,moments of easeand wholenessuntinged with disappointment. Will Your coming calm the sea of my lifefree me from my paralyzing thoughtssatisfy my hunger?This wafer … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged angel, Berit Watkin, Circles of Trust, Esther Hizsa, Howard Stanbury, Joyce Rupp, Keeping Watch in the Night, Nativity, Parker J. Palmer, shepherds, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Turn to Wonder, Wonder | 2 Comments

Advent 3: Restless

Posted on December 9, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” –Luke 9:58 (NRSVUE) I want to lay my head on the satisfactionof believing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged 071020, Advent, Confessions, Esther Hizsa, Kain Kalju, Luke 9:58, Matthew 11:28, Nativity, rest, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Augustine, Stephen Brent, Tamaki Sono, The Resless Sea | Leave a comment

Advent 2: Trust

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Life is a succession of dyings and risings. At the center of the Eucharist, we proclaim, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.”–Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, November 27, 2022 This morning I saw minuscule buds on my … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Advent, Candle 006, Center for Action and Contemplation, Christmas Cactus, Esther Hizsa, How the Light Comes, Jan L. Richardson, Jonathan Assink, Richard Rohr, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steven Severinghaus, the glory of dawn, worldoflard | Leave a comment

Advent 1: Touch

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I waited for You at the door of wordsbut they were little more thanletters on a pageundecipherable my feelings far away.Did I have any? I fidgeteddistractedpowerless. Then, through the locked door,You came. “Touch my face,” You said Lost feelingsfound tears. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, compassion, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged And they found baby Jesus laying in a manger, Esther Hizsa, John 1:14, Percita, Sarah Barker, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The National Guard, Touch | Leave a comment

Just Now

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Did you notice that just now?That unexpected spaciousness in the midst of everything trying to get through the door at once. A delicious “Ahhhh!” A sense that it’s going to be fine. It is fine. You keep thinking you need more days with nothing scheduled, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reflections | Tagged A.K., Calm& Chaos, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, Karen Pascal, Mike Green, Now and Then, Peace be with you., Psalm 65:7, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Make Peace with Your Helplessness

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Make peace with your helplessness. You can’t change the past or control the future. What is is what is. Feel your anger.Watch it rise up and look for someone to blame. Even if it is their fault or yours or God’s, it doesn’t change a thing. You’re still … Continue reading →