Tag Archives: The Return of the Prodigal Son

Before the Miracle

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I close my eyes, enter into my imagination, and arrive at the wedding in Cana. I take it all in–joyful chatterolives and garlicky hummusdangling earrings and earnest facesfreshly baked bread and wafts of perfumethe earthen goblet in my hand. Who am … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Frans Francken the Younger, Ignatian prayer, Jan Evans, Lenten retreat, Nheyob, Psalm 139:7-8, Rembrandt, Saint James the Greater Catholic Church, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Return of the Prodigal Son, The Wedding at Cana | Leave a comment

“Amen,” You Said

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

The good news is that everything is forgiven—everything.—Steve Garnaas-Holmes, “Erased” “Amen,” you said,and you believed it.You taught it,preached it,and blogged about it.“I can love myself just the way I am–warts and all–because that’s the way God loves me,”you said,and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Crusty Da Klown, Erased, Esther Hizsa, Friendship, Luke 15, Pompeo Batoni, Psalm 23, Rainier Martin Ampongan, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, The Difficult Path, The Return of the Prodigal Son | Leave a comment

Helping Each Other Make It Home

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

As you can imagine, I have been reflecting on the love mischief of tears and paying attention to what has come to my awareness. Five truths have emerged. 1. I didn’t deserve to be bullied. That statement alone brings me … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, community, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Chris Chiu, Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations, Esther Hizsa, Father Richard Soo, forgiveness, Hong Kong Rally, Jan Weenix, Matthias Zomer, Photo of woman on dock, Richard Wagamese, Romans 15:7, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Return of the Prodigal Son | 2 Comments

Forgiven

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

As I kneel at the altar to receive the Eucharist, it suddenly occurs to me that when Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips,” he may not have been speaking generally or just identifying … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Eucharist, Feast of Reconciliation, forgiveness, Inside Out Church, Isaiah 6:1-8, Jerry Adams, Luke 15:18-20, Matthew Johnson, Rembrandt, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. James Anglican, The Return of the Prodigal Son | 2 Comments

Come

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I returned from my eight-day retreat carefully cradling my tender heart. In the coming weeks, I will talk about what happened. It’s changed how I see and hear God, myself and scripture. Yesterday I read Matthew 7:21-27 and heard it in a new … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, Justin Kern, kingdom of God, Matthew 7;21-27, Pescadero, Rembrandt, Rolling Tempest, Show Me the Way, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, tender heart, The Return of the Prodigal Son, vulnerability | 6 Comments

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

Our Darkest Hour

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

Tomorrow is the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere. But for those of us on the other side of the world, winter begins with the longest night of the year. Advent comes to a climax in our darkest … Continue reading →