Category Archives: Reflections

I Love You More than Anything

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I love You more than anything. And when I am in my right mind I know this to be true But You know it all the time. —Rob Des Cotes If actions speak louder than words, mine wouldn’t say I … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Rob Des Cotes, Spiritual Direction | Tagged 1 John 4:19, Elya Bergen, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spirituality, Ignatius of Loyola, Imago Dei Communities, Jesus with the children, John20:19-22, Michael O'Brien, Principle and Foundation, Rob Des Cotes, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Spiritual Exercises | Leave a comment

Time for Rising

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Lift your head and dry your eyes. Time for rising. –Steve Bell, Bethany in the Morning During Lent, I tried unsuccessfully to refrain from zoning out. Many evenings I succumbed to temptation and played Scrabble on my tablet or snacked while watching … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Overeating, Reflections | Tagged Abbey of the Arts, Bethany in the Morning, Christine Valters Paintner, consolation, desolation, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Raising of Lazarus, Richard Rohr, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell, Sunrise, Susanne Nilsson, Ted, The Miracle of Mindfulness, Thich Naht Hanh | Leave a comment

Miracle Moments

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I love the drama in the stories of Jesus’ resurrection, watching the progression from sadness and despair to confusion and then to joy. One minute life is dark and pointless and the next, it’s bright and full of possibility. Jesus’ presence changes … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Mindfulness, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, John 3:3, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Miracle of Mindfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh | 4 Comments

Purple Everywhere

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

John and Peter rush to the tomb. If it’s empty, as she said, then– Prayers rise to their lips leap from their hands. God runs to meet them, spilling purple everywhere. Credits and References: Painting of the disciples Peter and … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Eugène Burnand, Peter and John running to the tomb, resurrection, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Full extent of love, Haold Copping, Jesus washes disciples' feet, John 13:4-5, John 13;1, Maundy Thursday, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waiting for the Word | 2 Comments

Your King Is Coming

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt. –John 12:15 Savour these words with me. Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming. . . Ever since I was young, waiting for … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Lent, Reflections | Tagged Contemplation, Daniel Ladinsky, Entry into Jerusalem, Esther Hizsa, Gaylon Keeling, Giotto di Bondone, John 12:15, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Triumphal Entry | Leave a comment

Return and Rest

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

“Keep noticing,” says Father James Martin, SJ at the end of his Daily Examen podcast. It’s an invitation to notice God’s demonstrative love in the events of our lives. It’s also an invitation to notice what we’re feeling physically and emotionally … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Reflections | Tagged Aftab Uzzaman, Esther Hizsa, Genesis 16, Isaiah 30:15-18, James Martin, Luke 15:1-7, Luke 19:1-10, rest, Soul of Christ, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

God’s Demonstrative Love

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.–John 12:3 (NIV) In Meeting Jesus in John, … Continue reading →