Tag Archives: David L. Fleming SJ

The Fourth Event

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

On Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, the fourth big event chronicled in the New Testament. Christmas names the first one: the incarnation of Christ. God comes into our lives–into our joy and suffering. They called him Immanuel, “God with us.” Reading the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, community, Creation, Easter, Homelessness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Acts 10, Acts 2, acts of compassion, Amazing Grace, Daniel Ladinsky, David L. Fleming SJ, Dropping Keys, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, John 12:24, Luke 4:18-19, Patrick McFall, Pentecost, Soul of Christ, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Gift | Leave a comment

Calls to Prayer

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Notice what you notice. You’ve heard me say that countless times in my book and blog. It’s become a contemplative practice for me ever since I prayed the Ignatian Exercises in 2012-13. I notice experiences that warm my heart. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged bellw, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Hold On, just.Luc, Mayor Hurley, Monica Brown, New Year's Resolutions, Ruth Monette, Soul of Christ, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, uroburos, warming centres, warming shelters | 3 Comments

Waking Up

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I want to be fully awake to God. I’d like to live so aware of being in Christ that I rely on nothing other than God for my security or identity. A bird held by a single thread is still not … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections | Tagged A Rocha, addictions, Anthony de Mello, attachments, awareness, Breathing Underwater, David L. Clough, David L. Fleming SJ, Eating Peaceably, Esther Hizsa, Ignatius of Loyola, James Finley, On Animals, Regent College, Richard Rohr, Simon Bleasdale, Soul of Christ, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the Soul, Two Standards, Vancouver School of Theology, Veganism, Wake up | 1 Comment

God’s Salvific Love

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“This helplessness, what’s it like?” asked my spiritual director. It took me a few minutes to let the feeling return to my body. It’s how I felt the night I was driving to a friend’s house in the rain. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Brennan Manning, Christ in Gethsemane, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, helplessness, Hold On, Luc De Leeuw, Michael D. O'Brien, Ragamuffin Gospel, salvific, Soul of Christ, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Rescued

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

As I looked back on my eight-day retreat, I saw the through-line of a story. It began with God’s whispers of love and a gentle awareness that I had been guarding and protecting my heart from God. At the beginning of the retreat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Aftab Uzzaman, Creation of Adam, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer, Ignatian prayer retreat, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Living from the Heart, Matthew 11:38; Psalm 115:4-8, Michelangelo, Soul of Christ, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Teresa of Avila | 1 Comment

What a Good Person Looks Like

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I left my outer robe at the bottom of the sycamore and climbed into its branches. I had heard Jesus was coming this way and wanted to see what a good person looked like. Up in the tree with my bare … Continue reading →

Posted in Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Bill Barber, Canada Day, Carmel Hill, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Jessie Wilcox Smith, John 21:20, Little Flower Monastery, Matthew 27:43, Moonbeams, Psalm 22:8, Soul of Christ, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Victor Chapa, Zacchaeus, Zacchaeus Tree | 1 Comment

God with Us to the End

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I look at the naked, bloodied body next to me. “What’s he doing here?” A sinless man is being crucified beside us: me on his left, the other criminal on his right. The crucified always die in disgrace, our lives held up as negative examples. Yet, he is good. People call him rabbi, … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Stories | Tagged Anima Christi, Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, crucifixion, David L. Fleming SJ, Good Friday, Heinrich Hoffmann, Luke 23; 32-46, Soul of Christ, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

Balancing the Impossible

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I’m becoming wary of my false self and its admirable intentions. Now, when I think about doing something good, I ask myself why I’m doing it. Is it to enhance my reputation, bring personal gain, or help me feel good? Or am … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Burning Bush, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, false self, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Luke 1:37, Mark 10:17-31, Micahel Cook, Principle and Foundation, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Leave a comment

DIY Prayer Retreat #2: God Is Love Loving

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Read the introduction in DIY Prayer Retreat #1 for general instructions on how to facilitate a prayer retreat. 10:00- 10:30: Gather It is helpful to begin this retreat by sharing loving images of God. You may use artwork or a story like … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer Retreat Outline, Resource, Stories | Tagged Artisan Church, David L. Fleming SJ, DIY Prayer Retreat, Esther Hizsa, Examen, Ignatian Spirituality, Joel Montes de Oca, Journal entry, Lance Odegard, Neil Gallop, Parker Palmer, Prodigal Son, Rembrandt, silent prayer, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Theophan the Recluse, What Is Ignatian Spirituality? | 2 Comments

The Hand that Stilled the Storm

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Lately Jesus has been inviting me to hold his hand as we walk through life together. That reminds me of something that happened when Heidi was born. She was delivered as planned by caesarean section a week before the due date. Since I … Continue reading →