Tag Archives: spiritual director Burnaby

Goodbye, Rob

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

On April 6 friend and mentor Rob Des Cotes passed into glory. Rob was a pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader as well as a husband, father, and grandfather, musician, writer and artist. Hearing God’s call to go deeper in contemplative … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Other Side of the Line

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

After I got over the shock of discovering I’m one of “those people,” I began to wonder about the distinctions I make. What constitutes being “those people” anyway? We easily divide people into two kinds: life-giving people and life-draining people cup half-full people and cup … Continue reading →

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A Pleasant Place of Shelter

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

The woman interrupted me mid-sentence. “You need to know that something you said two years ago really hurt me.” I stood there stunned by the pain on her face and the anger in her voice. She told me what I’d said … Continue reading →

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Christ Has Risen Indeed

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“The Incredulity of St. Thomas” by Caravaggio, 1601-2 The Incredulity of Thomas Incredulity. Words are wasted on his impenetrable mind: “Unless I see, unless I touch.” Incredulity guards the heart seals the tomb from disappointment. “Thomas!” Voice charged, words spark. “See. … Continue reading →

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Holy Saturday

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Homeless they take him down from the cross his PUTcold body pierced PUTbruised mouth silenced PUTsoft eyes blind as he began now at end PUTwrapped in cloth strips PUTlaid in wrong place helpless God stone heaved tomb sealed sudden scream PUTmine guards curse push me PUT“Go home!” can’t have … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Gethsemane

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

See how tenderly the angels comfort Jesus in his anguish. He longed for such compassion from his friends, but they couldn’t do it. They disappeared into a panacea of sleep. We rely on Jesus to be with us in everything, but will we be with … Continue reading →

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Moving from “Me” to “We”

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

If I were Jesus riding into Jerusalem, I would have been pretty agitated. Imagine entering the city where you’re about to be betrayed, abandoned, beaten, and killed. How could Jesus remain present to the crowds of joyous people shouting, “Hosanna!”? Before the week is through, … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Helpful Images, Holy Week, Lent, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

There You Are

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Okay. Okay. I’m being still. I’m trying to pause between activities and regain my balance. But, I’ll be honest with you, God. It doesn’t feel like a lot’s happening here. I haven’t stopped overeating and Lent is nearly over. My heart … Continue reading →

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Get Real Still

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

It was easy to pick out our grandson in the line-up of swimmers. The eight-year-old wore a life jacket and was a foot or two shorter than the others. Like those ahead of him, he waited for his turn to try the obstacle course that stretched … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments