Category Archives: Mystical

Julian’s Prayer

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

God, of your goodness, give me yourself; you are enough for me.—Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love Under the treesin the early morning,I listened to the birds sing to each otherand breathed a prayerthat was once only words: God, … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Jim Stanton, Julian of Norwich, Living from the Heart, Living from the Heart Podcast, Revelations of Divine Love, Rod Janz, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

When the Dove Descends

Posted on January 27, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

When the dove descended on Jesusand a voice from heaven declaredin the presence of many witnesses,“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”did Jesus believe it? Perhaps the Holy Spirit led him into the desert so he could listen … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mystical, Reflections | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, i John 3:1, José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior, Matthew 3:13-17, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The baptism of Christ | Leave a comment

Uncontainable Love

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Love cannot be contained. It comes as a fireball of gloryand, when it meets resistance,is not stoppedbut spills –yellow, orange, and purple–all over the sky, land, and sea. Christmas may not come as expected.Dare I say, it likely won’t.You may have … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Creation, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, As Kingfishers Catch Fire, Christ plays in ten thousand places, Esther Hizsa, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Gerard van Honthorst, Gerry Brague, MIke Lathrop, Shifting Skies over the Salish Sea, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Adoration of the Shepherds | 1 Comment

Embraced in the Deep Love of Jesus

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Imagining ourselves in a gospel story with Jesus is risky. After all, if we stick to the script, we might hear Jesus can say something demanding, harsh or cold. Before Jesus fed the 5000, he told the disciples, “You give … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mystical, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Esther Hizsa, John 8:1-11, Julian of Norwich, Lulu Lovering, Mark 4:40, Matthew 14:16, Matthew 14:31, Samuel T. Francis, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The First Bird Back, Ucluelet | Leave a comment

An Irrational Fear

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

After Julian of Norwich encountered Jesus in her near-death experience, she wrote down what happened and continued to reflect on the revelations of Christ’s love that she received. Then she wrote about these “showings.” That got me thinking: what if … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Gabor Maté, James Finley, John 1:14, Julian of Norwich, Scattered Minds, Sitting in Silence, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Turning to the Mystics | 1 Comment

Moments: Part 1

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When I was alone with you for eight days,there were moments I will never forget. On the first day, there was the moment you said,“Go ahead. Ask for what you want.” I asked to fall in love with you again and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, candle, Droplet, eight day prayer retreat, Esther Hizsa, Father Richard Soo SJ, Ignatian prayer retreeat, Irene Fennema, Mechthild of Magdeburg, praying with the imagination, Reflecting moment, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing, Thomas Hassel, William Manaker SJ | 5 Comments

Known

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I am made of the earthand of its Creatorflesh and spirithuman, divineimpermanent and eternal. I will dieand before I dieI will have died and risen againhundreds of times. On the Saturdaybetween Good Fridayand Easter Sunday,I lay awake in the tomband … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Amancay Maahs, Colossians 3:3, Cynthia Bourgeault, Esther Hizsa, Faith, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., Heather Ruce, Just right she sighed, Lovely Feet, Psalm 4:8, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St.Andrew's Anglican Church, Steve Corey | 5 Comments

Are You Coming?

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I loved the look of satisfaction on Jesus’ face. We just fed five thousand men, plus women and children, with one boy’s lunch of bread and fish. The scene continued to unfold in my imagination as I prayed with this … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Mindfulness, Mystical, Overeating, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 1 Corinthians 10:5, Esther Hizsa, John 6:1-24, limiting beliefs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Internship | 3 Comments

Being Restored by Grace

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I enjoyed a nice break over Christmas and New Year’s. When a heavy snowfall slowed the world down even more, I noticed what it feels like in my body to relax, knowing nothing urgent needs my attention. Now that I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Black-capped chickadee, Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship. Community Fridge, Community fridge, Dawn Perry, Esther Hizsa, Falling Snow, Genesis 2, Matthew 28:20, Ron Bulovs, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Cloud of Unknowing, unending miracle of love, William Johnston | Leave a comment

You Are Worthy to Leave This Sadness

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

He Desired Me So I Came Close No one can near God unless He has prepared a bed for you. A thousand souls hear His call every second, but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror and says, … Continue reading →