Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Come Holy Spirit Series: Seeing with the Eyes of God.

Come Holy Spirit Series.

Come Holy Spirit Series

"Wisdom: Seeing with the Eyes of God"

Come Holy Spirit Series: "Wisdom: Seeing with the Eyes of God"

Welcome to Come Holy Spirit Series.   

·         Who is the Holy Spirit to me? 

·         Is the Holy Spirit my best friend?

·         Were you like myself confirmed many years ago and the gifts of the Spirit and the fruits are just something we know but do not truly use to full capacity or perhaps we do not think about them at all?

As part of my own preparation for Pentecost, even though we have just entered into Eastertide, I decided as part of my own spiritual journey to explore the gifts and fruits of the Spirit and to see how to use them in my life now.   This series is born from this perspective. It is my refresher and preparation for Pentecost, something that I hope will have a whole different perspective this year.  Perhaps you might like to join me on this adventure on Who is the Holy Spirit and invite the Holy Spirit to come.

 

Who is the Holy Spirit?

We know theologically that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. The Compendium of the Catholic Church says:

Here’s what the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about who the Holy Spirit is:

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Q. 47. Who is the Holy Spirit?
“The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Most Holy Trinity.
He is God, one and equal with the Father and the Son.
He ‘proceeds from the Father’ (John 15:26), who is the principle without principle and the origin of all Trinitarian life.
He proceeds also from the Son (Filioque), by the eternal gift which the Father makes of the Son to the Spirit.”

 

This echoes the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 243–248, affirming:

  • The Holy Spirit is not created, not lesser, not just a power—but God.
  • He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is eternally one with Them in divine love.
  • He is fully personal, not an “it,” but a “He”—with will, love, and mission.

And the Compendium continues:

Q. 136. What does the Church mean when she confesses: ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit’?
It means that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Most Holy Trinity,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and who is “worshipped and glorified” with the Father and the Son.
The Spirit is “sent into our hearts” (Gal 4:6) so that we might receive new life as children of God.

 

So just from these thoughts from the Catechism we may ponder

1.    The Holy Spirit is equal to God the Father and God the Son…not lesser. Do we treat the Holy Spirit as equal in our relationship? Do we even have a relationship with Holy Spirit?

2.    He is fully personal and will love us with a similar love to God as Father and Jesus as Son.

3.    We know that Jesus before His Ascension promised to send them Holy Spirit. On this reason alone, it might send goosebumps into our system.  If Jesus who was ascending to the Father, thought it was important enough for us to send the Holy Spirit, then why do I not think of Holy Spirit as this important too? After all He dwells within us and has given us the gifts of the Spirit. Let us think about that for a moment.  The Holy Spirit dwells within me.  I know that with my head/mind. Do I truly embrace Him with my heart? 

 

Perhaps in the past we may have found that the Holy Spirit seems remote to us. Perhaps this week, we can find our own personal name for Him- not demoting Him in any way but finding our own heart name for the Holy Spirit- perhaps even God, the Holy Spirit seems more personal.  What name speaks to our hearts without losing any significance of Who the Holy Spirit is? Still God- Still the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, Still equal in majesty, greatness and in every way to God the Father and Jesus His Son. How will I address the Holy Spirit this week? Perhaps ask Him what special name would He liked to be called that is unique to me?

Now let us consider this week, the gift of Wisdom.

The Gift of Wisdom: Becoming Attuned to the Voice of the Spirit

What Is the Gift of Wisdom?

The Gift of Wisdom is the first and highest of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. It’s not just intellect or experience—it’s the grace to see as God sees. With wisdom, the soul tastes the mystery of God, and life is viewed through the lens of eternity.

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it beautifully:

Q. 389. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. They are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
(CCC 1830–1831)

Wisdom is listed first because it draws all the other gifts into harmony.

Why Do We Need Wisdom?

We live in a world filled with noise, pressure, opinions, confusion, and distraction. Wisdom gives clarity—not just about what to do, but why. It enables us to:

  • Discern God’s presence and purpose in daily life
  • See trials through the lens of the Cross and Resurrection
  • Make decisions rooted in eternal truths, not temporary emotions
  • Prioritize the Kingdom of God in a world that prioritizes self

Wisdom brings peace—not because life becomes easier, but because our eyes are on Christ.

How Can We Refresh, Renew, and Revitalize This Gift During Easter?

Easter is the perfect time to awaken this gift. Jesus, Wisdom Incarnate, is risen! The Risen Lord breathes peace and clarity into our souls.

Here are some ways to renew wisdom:

  • Contemplate the Risen Christ in the Gospels. Sit with the encounters: Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Thomas… How does Jesus reveal truth and love in each moment?
  • Ask for wisdom daily. This gift grows with asking. “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously” (James 1:5).
  • Pray with the Psalms. Psalm 90:12—“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”—is a perfect Easter prayer.
  • Fast from foolish noise. Even just 10 minutes of silence a day can make space for God’s gentle whisper.

How to Tap Into and Use the Gift of Wisdom

Using the gift doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly have all the answers. Rather, you begin to:

  • See with spiritual eyes. You notice when someone is hurting, even when they’re smiling.
  • Speak with gentleness and power. Your words carry peace because they come from prayer.
  • Live with balance. You don’t overreact or jump to conclusions—you rest in God’s time and truth.

Wisdom doesn’t mean detachment from the world; it means engaged discernment.

What Prayer can open me up to Wisdom again?

Let us during this week open ourselves to our divine friend, and ask for Wisdom:

“Holy Spirit, Spirit of Wisdom, open the eyes of my heart. Help me see as God sees. Help me love what God loves. Help me choose what leads to life.”

 

How might I open my heart to the Holy Spirit and deepen my friendship with God, the Holy Spirit?

 

Reflection Question:

1.    Where in my life do I need to see more clearly with the eyes of God rather than the eyes of the world?

2.    Ask God the Holy Spirit to show me one area in my life where I need His wisdom today? We may wish to ask this question over this coming week each day. Let us ask God the Holy Spirit to help us to see with clarity, choose with courage, and act with love.  What do You want to teach me through this situation?

3.    What scripture could I use to focus on the gift of wisdom this week?
“Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12

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The Gift of Wisdom isn’t abstract; it’s woven through the fabric of God’s story with His people. Here's how we can expand and deepen this part of your post:

What does Scripture Tell Us about Gift of Wisdom

Wisdom in the Word: A Gift That Speaks Across Scripture

The Gift of Wisdom isn’t hidden in a locked box only saints can open. It’s laced through Scripture—from the poetry of Proverbs to the person of Jesus Himself. Wisdom calls, wisdom walks beside us, wisdom waits to be asked for. If you’re feeling spiritually rusty, or like you’ve “heard it all before,” this is your invitation to begin again. To sit with the Word like it’s the first time. To clean out the cobwebs and say:
“Holy Spirit, teach me. I’m ready.”

Let’s listen to what the Scriptures tell us about wisdom:

1. Wisdom Is a Companion That Brings Joy

“Happy the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding...
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.”

Proverbs 3:13, 18

Wisdom is not just useful—it is life-giving. It’s not about being clever or religiously “together.” It’s about being rooted in something that gives fruit, steadiness, and quiet joy. When we find wisdom, we find peace.

Wisdom is personified as a woman in the Book of Proverbs—gracious, powerful, and life-giving. In this image, she’s not distant. She wants to dwell with us, to guide, protect, and bring joy. She walks with those who seek the Lord.

 

2. Wisdom Is Crying Out to Be Heard

“Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?”

Proverbs 8:1

This is good news. We don’t have to go on a mountaintop retreat to find wisdom (though that would be nice!). She’s calling in the middle of the school run, the dishes, the traffic, the doubt.
She’s in the Word. She’s in prayer.
She’s in the voice of someone who gently tells you the truth you need to hear.

God isn’t hiding wisdom from us—it’s calling out in our daily lives, in the quiet moments, in the questions, in the people we meet. Wisdom is not a whisper only for mystics; it’s an invitation for everyone.

 

3. Wisdom Begins with Holy Reverence

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

Fear here doesn’t mean being scared of God. It’s that deep reverence and awe that says, You are God and I am not. That posture of humility opens us up to receive. It allows us to be taught. It makes room for trust. Wisdom starts not with information, but with reverence. When we stand in awe before the mystery and majesty of God, our hearts become teachable. That’s the soil where wisdom takes root.

 

4. Christ Is the Wisdom of God

“Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:24

If you want to know what divine wisdom looks like—look at Jesus. He is wisdom: in how He heals, how He teaches, how He withdraws to pray, how He looks at the rich young man with love, how He breaks bread and offers His life.
The more we get to know Jesus, the more we absorb wisdom without even realizing it.

Jesus doesn’t just teach wisdom. He is wisdom. When we know Christ, we are introduced to divine wisdom in the flesh—gentle, strong, courageous, merciful, and eternal.

5. Wisdom Is Yours for the Asking

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,
who gives generously to all without reproach,
and it will be given him.”

James 1:5

 

God delights in giving us wisdom—especially when we’re humble enough to ask. This is a Scripture to pray often, especially when we feel confused or overwhelmed.

 No hoops to jump through. No exam to pass. No shame for not already knowing.

Just a loving Father waiting to pour out what we need—if only we ask.
This might be the most refreshing truth in the whole chapter.

 

This Week’s Invitation

Ask for the Gift of Wisdom each day this week. It can be as simple as:

“Holy Spirit, open my heart.
I want to see through Your eyes.
I want to live with Your wisdom.”

Then keep your eyes open. Watch how God gently answers.

Wisdom Week: A Time to Soak in the Gift

For the next seven days, take time each day to return to Wisdom. Don’t rush it. Let her find you in the ordinary, and make space to listen.

Here are some gentle prompts you can use during the week:

Daily Soul Moments:

  • Sunday: In prayer, give thanks for a moment this week when wisdom showed up.
  • Monday: Ask: Where do I most need God’s wisdom today?
  • Tuesday: Read Proverbs 3:13–18 slowly. What word or image stands out?
  • Wednesday: Notice a moment today when you needed to see through God's eyes.
  • Thursday: Pray with James 1:5. Ask boldly.
  • Friday: Reflect: When have I listened to wisdom in the past? What fruit came from it?
  • Saturday: Where is God inviting me to wait rather than rush?

 

Come, Holy Spirit, Gift of Wisdom—
Teach me how to see,
Not with worry, but with wonder.
Not with fear, but with faith.
Not with haste, but with Heaven in mind.
Let me walk this week
With eyes fixed on You.

 

Come, Holy Spirit, clear away the cobwebs.

I want to know You again. Truly. Tenderly. Personally.

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