Category Archives: Stories

Mistake

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.–Rainer Maria Rilke It seemed like a good idea at the time.Even afterwardsI could see the gift in it until I saw it through another person’s eyes. … Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Esther Hizsa, humility, New Year, Rainer Maria Rilke, Sing Over Me, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Porter's Gate, W.Brown, Zephaniah 3:17 | Leave a comment

The Light Has Come

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When this year began,we livedin dappled lightand shadows. Then life thrust usinto a darkness so brightwe saw each other,we liked what we sawand loved each other. Once that love was born,it became so precious to usthat nowthe momentswhen we may … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 1 John 2:10, a long stare, Esther Hizsa, Joseph B, Markus Grossalber, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tea candle in the dark | 2 Comments

Uncontainable Love

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Love cannot be contained. It comes as a fireball of gloryand, when it meets resistance,is not stoppedbut spills –yellow, orange, and purple–all over the sky, land, and sea. Christmas may not come as expected.Dare I say, it likely won’t.You may have … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Creation, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, As Kingfishers Catch Fire, Christ plays in ten thousand places, Esther Hizsa, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Gerard van Honthorst, Gerry Brague, MIke Lathrop, Shifting Skies over the Salish Sea, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Adoration of the Shepherds | 1 Comment

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I am a sheepand I like it–Sally Fisher Here in the Psalm In the second week of Advent,You showed up as promised,giving me the poem I needed for the Wednesday Lunch Club Christmas cards,an idea for the last gift,conversations to settle ruffled … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Songs, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Ciboulette, Esther Hizsa, Here in the Psalm, Luke 15:1-7, myri_bonnie, Paul Zach, Pray as you go, Psalm 23, Sally Fisher, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Where Peace Finds Me

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I’m waiting for the peace that comes when I know what to do,do it, and nothing goes wrong(or at least the unforeseen is manageable). It doesn’t take much to keep me awake at night,weighing the same optionsover and overand longing for sleep. I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections, Songs | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Sanctuary Songs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Porter's Gate, You Are My Sanctuary | 3 Comments

The Question That Makes It Hard Not to Fear

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

The Angel Gabriel appeared to meagain this year and announced,“You will conceive and bear the Christ Child.” Hardly containing his exuberance, he went on.“Beloved and cherished one,you have been chosen to participate in God’s grand projectto save the cosmos and everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Annunciation, Esther Hizsa, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Luke 1:26-38, Mary, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Tides

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Jesus replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Adam Jones, consolation, desolation, Esther Hizsa, Long Beach Vista, Matthew 16:2-3, Psalm 143:4, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Ucluelet, Wild Pacific Trail | 2 Comments

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 Barefeet on red dirt, Bengladesh, Esther Hizsa, Floods in Bengladesh, FrankOWeaver, Luke 17:27, Luke 17:33, Luke 17:34, Luke 19:10, Luke17:30, Moniruzzaman Sazal, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 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 Carol M. Highsmith, Colloqy, Esther Hizsa, Ignatius of Loyola, passenger train, rawpix, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude | 1 Comment

Surrender’s Shadow Side

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

“You went out for lunch without me?” I blurted, unable to contain my hurt and anger. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you did,” I added. I meant it, too. But that awful feeling of being left out and forgotten … Continue reading →