Come Holy Spirit Series
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Come Holy Spirit |
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
The
Holy Spirit Opens Our Eyes to the True Treasure
Introduction
Each
week in this series we ask one simple question:
What
is the Holy Spirit doing in this Sunday's Gospel?
This
Sunday's Gospel contains three short parables about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus speaks of a hidden treasure, a pearl of great price, and a fishing net
gathering fish of every kind.
At
first glance, these stories seem to be about valuable possessions. Yet they
invite us to look much deeper. They ask us what we truly value and where our
hearts are really centred.
The
Holy Spirit gently opens our eyes to recognise that the greatest treasure we
will ever discover is life with God.
The
Holy Spirit Opens Our Eyes to the True Treasure.
This
follows naturally from last week's post. Having patiently cultivated the wheat,
the Spirit now helps us recognise for what is truly worth giving our lives.
The Gospel
"The
kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field... Then in his joy he goes
and sells all that he has and buys that field."
—
Matthew 13:44
Jesus
goes on to compare the Kingdom to a merchant who discovers a pearl of immense
value and willingly gives up everything to possess it.
What
Is the Holy Spirit Doing in This Gospel?
The
Holy Spirit is opening our eyes to what truly matters.
Every
day we are surrounded by things competing for our attention:
- success
- possessions
- comfort
- recognition
- security
- busyness
Many
of these things have their place, but none of them can satisfy the deepest
longing of the human heart.
The
Holy Spirit quietly redirects our gaze.
He
helps us recognise that the greatest treasure is not something we own, but
Someone we know.
The
treasure is Christ Himself.
When
we discover Him more deeply, our priorities begin to change. What once seemed
so important gradually loses its hold, while the things of God become
increasingly precious.
Like
the man in the parable, we begin to act not out of obligation but out of joy.
Walking with Jesus This Week
The
treasure in the Gospel was hidden.
How
often does God work quietly, hidden beneath the surface of ordinary life?
The
Holy Spirit helps us recognise God's presence:
- in
prayer
- in the
Eucharist
- in
Scripture
- in acts
of kindness
- in
moments of silence
- in the
people God places in our lives.
Perhaps
the treasure we seek has been beside us all along.
The
Spirit simply opens our eyes to see it.
This
week, perhaps ask yourself:
"Holy
Spirit, what treasure are You inviting me to discover more deeply?"
The Joy of Letting Go
The
man in the parable does not sell everything reluctantly.
Jesus
tells us:
"In
his joy..."
That
small phrase is easy to overlook.
The
Holy Spirit does not ask us to let go simply for the sake of sacrifice.
He
invites us to let go because something infinitely greater awaits us.
Every
time we place Christ first, we discover a freedom and joy that no earthly
possession can provide.
The
Kingdom is always worth more.
For
Reflection This Week
- What
treasure am I pursuing most eagerly at this stage of my life?
- Is there
anything the Holy Spirit is inviting me to place into better perspective?
- Where
have I discovered the hidden presence of God during this past week?
Come,
Holy Spirit. Open our eyes to recognise the true treasure of Your Kingdom, and
give us joyful hearts that are willing to place Christ above all else.
I
particularly love one line in this Gospel:
"In
his joy..."
The
man does not give everything away because he is miserable. He does it because
he's found something incomparably better.
That,
I think, is one of the Holy Spirit's most beautiful works. He does not merely
ask us to give things up; He helps us discover something so much greater that
our hearts willingly choose Christ. It's a hopeful and joyful message, and I
think it fits your series beautifully.
Prayer
Come,
Holy Spirit.
Open
my eyes to the treasure that never fades.
Help
me to recognise Christ in the ordinary moments of each day.
Free
my heart from anything that prevents me from loving You more fully.
Teach
me to seek first Your Kingdom and to trust that everything else will find its
proper place.
May
I never lose sight of the priceless gift of knowing Jesus.
Come,
Holy Spirit.
Lead
me always to the true treasure.
Amen.
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