Holy Spirit Hiding? Here’s Three Ways to Find Him

Holy Spirit, Synod
The Holy Spirit may seem like the most elusive Person of the Trinity. We think about Him during Baptisms, Confirmations, and around the Feast of Pentecost but, it may be easy to forget about his importance the rest of the year.
Our charismatic brothers and sisters share miracles through his power and bear witness to his integral role in keeping the fire of Faith burning within our souls. And yet, for those of us who may not share those same gifts or personalities, he may seem difficult to connect with and understand.
Here are three easy ways to start to rebuild a relationship with the Holy Spirit. The best part is, you are doing some of these things now!
1. Strengthen Your Relationship with Jesus AND the Holy Spirit
I know, I know, why are we talking about the second person of the Trinity when you came here to learn about the third? This is because the Second Person of the Trinity- who may be more accessible to most of us- is intrinsically connected to the Third! The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
In their joint mission, the Son and the Holy Spirit are distinct but inseparable. To be sure, it is Christ who is seen, the visible image of the invisible God, but it is the Spirit who reveals him. CCC 689
This means that, as you grow your relationship with either Jesus or the Holy Spirit, you are also growing your relationship with the other. To experience this, practice focusing on the qualities often attributed to one as they are present in the other.
For example, reflect on Jesus turning over the tables of the money-changers. Recognize the fiery passion of the Holy Spirit within him. Or, watch the flames of fire rest upon the heads of the Apostles at Pentecost. See the perfect mirroring of Christ’s unfailing obedience to the Father.
You can also do this by just acknowledging the presence of one when you invoke the other. As you sit down to pray to Jesus, take a moment to acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is there as well. Or, as you prepare for or attend the Sacraments of Initiation, think about how it is through Christ that they are available to us.
2. Read the Bible to Hear the Holy Spirit
The books of the Bible are all inspired by the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit who filled the writers with God’s Word and helped make it present and clear in their minds. It was the Holy Spirit who filled the Apostles with the courage to hand down Jesus’s teachings. He was certain those teachings were recorded so future generations could hear them. And, it is through him now that we are given the eyes to see and ears to hear the love and the message God has for us within his Word.
This also relates to the first point about Jesus Christ. The Catechism beautifully says: “When the Father sends his Word, he always sends his Breath” (CCC 689).  Jesus is God’s Living Word, and the Holy Spirit is the breath through which it is articulated. Every moment spent reflecting on the Bible is time spent sitting with the Holy Spirit and the words he wanted to be sure we heard.
3. Tap into Your Unique Gifts
Each of us has been given gifts from God, uniquely chosen to help us achieve his will for our lives. When we take time to discover, cultivate, and use those gifts to achieve God’s will, we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s promptings within us. These gifts can include virtues, but also charisms and particular callings.
If you are not sure what your gifts are, then ask the Holy Spirit to help you find them! Take time to consider your strengths and how they might be used to achieve a greater purpose or serve others. Take time to quietly listen to the Lord and invite the Holy Spirit into that moment. You may be surprised, as you consider the events of your life, what things stand out at patterns that reveal your ultimate purpose.
I have found that, for some, considering what made them distinct as children can indicate what their inherent gifts are. As children, we act more freely, uninhibited by responsibilities or preoccupations about other’s opinions. This helps us engage in the things we find most rewarding, things we may have set aside as our lives became more demanding.
It is also possible that things which you never considered gifts are your gifts! You may just need to reframe your perspective, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Not everyone’s gifts are going to be stereotypical or obvious.
A Fire No Longer Hidden

Through these simple things, you can tap into this hidden power of the Holy Spirit within you. Growing closer to him will help fill you with a burning fire for God’s will and give you both the passion and courage to pursue it. When feeling weak, tempted, or discouraged, you can always whisper “Come, Holy Spirit”. Then, you can proceed with the confidence that this Divine Helper will be right beside you, giving you the strength you need to keep running the race. With his help, you can stay on that course, always “running so as to win” (1 Cor. 9:24)!

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2 thoughts on “Holy Spirit Hiding? Here’s Three Ways to Find Him”

  1. Thanks for your article on the Holy Spirit. I’m sending it to a friend who fears she has blasphemed the Holy Spirit and is concerned about her salvation. Your article lays out nicely how the Trinity all works together.

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