Tag Archives: Esther Hizsa

O Sacred Friend Now Wounded

Now you are lifted up and alone, O Sacred Friend. You are every person who has ever been condemned, battered, betrayed, or abandoned. You bear all our suffering and every consequence for the suffering we caused. “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re … Continue reading

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A Smelly, Sweet Encounter

Perhaps it wasn’t until Jesus and his disciples sat down and the evening meal was being served that they noticed the unpleasant aroma of street and feet. I can imagine them all, tired from the day, edgy and irritated with each … Continue reading

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Hosanna!

How do we respond to such an exquisite display of love? Jesus, seated on a donkey, resolutely rides into Jerusalem knowing he will die there. Both he and the saint who is showing him the way are holding a scroll. The word … Continue reading

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Smitten

“God is smitten with us,” Steve Bell said between songs at a recent concert. “Lent is about love and returning to the Lover who is absolutely smitten with us.” To get us in the mood for Lent, Steve sang love … Continue reading

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Returning to the Well

After the Samaritan woman talked with Jesus at the well, her life changed dramatically. From then on, I bet she kept an eye out for him whenever she went to get water. I can even imagine them having more conversations that weren’t recorded in scripture. In … Continue reading

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Sharing the Weight, Revealing the Glory

When I told a friend about my dream, she was moved by what came out of it. “Why do you think God gave you that dream now?” she asked. “That’s a very good question,” I said. We both knew it was a question … Continue reading

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The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

I dream that I’m at an event in an unfamiliar place. I find a list of the seminars offered and choose one to attend. But when I go to check the room number, the schedule is gone. Now, what do … Continue reading

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DIY Prayer Retreat #2: God Is Love Loving

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

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She Who Hesitates

I was ten kilometres into my ride on a sunny January day, when I got a flat tire. I searched my bike’s panniers, but the levers weren’t there. Without them, it would be impossible to fix the flat. I hate … Continue reading

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The End of Ordinary Time

  It’s the end of Ordinary Time in the church year. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. For the next forty days, like many Christians, I will give up something I enjoy, so that I can identify in some small way with Christ’s … Continue reading

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