Category Archives: Prayer

Expanding and Contracting

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.–John 6:24  I was in the crowd sitting on that grassy hillside. You fed us bread … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Belong

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

No one can near God unless He hasprepared a bed for you.A thousand souls hear His call every second,but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror andsays, “I am not worthy to leave this sadness.”–Teresa of Avila You … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Amnesia

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

I sit down to pray disappointed that I didn’t have a better night’s sleep, frustrated that I still can’t get a handle on this. Compassion comes out of hiding,slips in beside me,leans her head on my shoulderand strokes my arm. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, compassion, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crybaby

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.–Luke 4:1,2 (NIV) Three mornings in a row,I wake from vivid dreamsof what … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Here Now

Posted on November 2, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Between my father’s passingand the spreading of his ashes,my mother whispered to her husband,“I miss you.”I hear in her words how much he loved herand she, him.   I think about my father with us nowas promised in scripture.In God, we live … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Way to Begin Anything

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The way we would begin in prayer is that we belong to God. And all the prayer starts and unfolds out of that knowing that we belong to God. We are trying to get past the topic of prayer to … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Have Arrived

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It was 38 degrees outside when I entered the cool of the seniors’ residence with a potted cyclamen for my mom. Yvonne, my favourite resident, asks “Do you ever stop?” I could have said, “Yes.” and told her about my quiet times and … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Prayers for Those Who Fear Scarcity

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Last Saturday, I joined a dozen contemplatives for a Quiet Morning. When it was my turn to check in around the circle, I confessed my current and lifelong fear of scarcity. Thinking of my parents’ cost of care which had … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On That Day

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. …  It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Justice, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Colloquy*

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I’m rattled and jarred. I fill my cartand don’t have the right card.I arrive at the door,and the key isn’t in my pocket.I remember the question I needed to askon my way back from the pharmacy. Every day I face … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment