Category Archives: Holy Week

Hidden with Christ in God

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.–Colossians 3:3 (NIV) She is deadbut not lost.She is hidden with Christ in God–consummatedwholeonedecomposing and becomingsoil.The grain of wheat fell to the earth and died. In the tomb of the earthshe is … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Center for Action and Contemplation, Colossians 3:3, Easter poem, Easter Saturday, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, soil, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tina Reynolds, Turning to the Mystics | Leave a comment

With Christ, I Die

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.— Colossians 3:3 In the silence,I close my eyesand die. I releaseall I loveall I desire,all I wanted to doall I wished to becomeall that is not resolved.My … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Acts 17:28, Centre for Action and Contemplation, Colossians 3:3, death, Earl, Esther Hizsa, extinguished, fear of death, Good Friday, James Finley, Mechthilde of Magdeburg, Psalm 23, Silence, silent prayer, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Turning to the Mystics | 4 Comments

Becoming What I Eat and Drink

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

On Good Friday I watched Jesus Christ Superstar (Stay Home #WithMe). I braced myself for the scene that bothers me more than the thirty-nine lashings or the death of Judas. A woman comes out of the shadows, “See my eyes I … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Reflections | Tagged Archbishop Melissa Skelton, Catherine of Genoa, Christ Chruch Cathedral, Easter Sunday Eucharist, Esther Hizsa, Fred Rogers, Holy Euchrist, It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, My deepest me, Richard Rohr, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Show Must Go On, The Universal Christ, Tim Minchin | 1 Comment

Rooted, I Rise

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Two weeks ago, I looked at my Christmas cactus and wondered if, like me, it needed a haircut. It’d finished blooming, so it was time. But then I saw a tiny bud and found another and another. My faithful friend … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Holy Week, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Adriene Mishler, As the mist rises, Easter, Esther Hizsa, Good Friday, Joan Chittister, Mark Seton, Maya Angelou, Rainer Maria Rilke, Schlumbergera, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Still I Rise, Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Yoga with Adriene | 2 Comments

Remaking History

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

We were about to make Canadian history: the first Living from the Heart course day on Zoom. Audrey, Brent and I had put in extra hours rearranging the material, learning how to do break out rooms, and prepping the participants. … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Coleman Barks, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 48:6-7, Just right she sighed, Living from the Heart, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Corey, Tara Brach, The Essential Rumi, The Guest House, the trance of anxiety | 2 Comments

Using Our Imaginations to Be with Christ in Holy Week

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

In the past few posts (and in my upcoming Good Friday post), I have shared how Christ has shown compassion for me in my suffering. Now I want to be with Jesus in his suffering. The best way I know … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Holy Week, Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Resource | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Father Richard Soo, Jesus at Gethsemane, Jesus on his way to be crucified, Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet, Jesus’ arrest. Luke 23:26-27, John 13, John 20:11-18, John 20:24-29, John 21, Living from the Heart, Luke 24:13-35, Mark 14:43-49:, Matt 26:36-45, Matthew 27: 33-56, Matthew 27:32, Matthew 27:57-61, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Burial, The Crucifixion, The Last Supper | Leave a comment

Beginning to Forgive

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.” –Luke 23:34 (CEV) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Prayer, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged Brad Jersak, Bury the Hatchet, Christ on the Cross, Christ washing disciples feet, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, CWR magazine, Dirck van Baburen, Esther Hizsa, forgiveness, John 13:1-17, Luke 23:34, Matthew 18:21-22, Sonnenstrahl, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Women Who Run With the Wolves | 2 Comments

Writing a Prayer

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

My friend wrote this icon. “You don’t paint icons,” she said. “You write them. You are writing a prayer. “You begin with a small brush. Then use smaller and smaller ones.” She entered the tomb with her brushes, paint and trepidation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Ann Green, Easter poem, Easter Saturday, Esther Hizsa, iconography, Russian Icon, spiritual director Burnaby, The Entoumbment | 2 Comments

Our Hands Have Touched God

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. —1 John 1:1 On this day, my prayer takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 1 John 1:1, Application of Senses, Christ on the Cross, Esther Hizsa, Good Friday, Sonnenstra, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

Jesus Shows the Full Extent of His Love

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full … Continue reading →