Quick Question

[Byzantine]

"Any person questioning God or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending him, by not fixing his eyes entirely on Christ and by living with the desire for some other novelty." -St. John of the Cross

What's he talking about here? Because aren't we supposed to pray that God reveal His will for us to us?

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

I think he is getting at more of an idea of somebody who thinks they need those things for their faith. Like doubting Thomas. It's not that God doesn't sometimes answer these types of prayers or answers, but it is not the best plan to seek after them as almost a condition of faith.

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='PadrePioOfPietrelcino' timestamp='1338096815' post='2435647']
I think he is getting at more of an idea of somebody who thinks they need those things for their faith. Like doubting Thomas. It's not that God doesn't sometimes answer these types of prayers or answers, but it is not the best plan to seek after them as almost a condition of faith.
[/quote]

Yes, that's what I thought also. I believe it is useful to pray for God to reveal His will to us, but I think St. John is emphasising that revelation should not be relied on or viewed as a sole motive for faith. We cannot base our faith or the depths of our belief on whether or not we receive signs from God. As Khalil Gibran said, "Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof".

Edited May 27, 2012 by Spem in alium

[BarbTherese]

There is no need to ask God for unusual and special indications of His Will. His Will is revealed to us in many ways in the normal course, which elevates the normal course to something special in its own right.
Very often seeking unusual and special spiritual experiences is a seeking for novelty in the spiritual life - relief from the so called mundane and very ordinary, rather than to seek God Himself. It is a self seeking (self interest) rather than detachment from self in order to seek Unity with God.

[Papist]

I understand it as don't put God to a test. e.g. Praying to God that you want your mom's illness to go away. If it does not, then He doesn't exist.

The evidence is there. Work with and in Christ to see it.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

i'm always looking for signs and wonders, not that i ask specifcally for one on any paticular topic or ask at all, but i did once and it all most blew me into out of space when it was answered. And when i looked back and examined it, it was just a sign that he was there with me really.Possibly some people need 1 or 2 in there lifetime, God knows, gideon i think it was asked for two signs, but he wasn't testing God like if you get me a car i will goto mass twice a week, gideon just wanted to make sure it was truely god speaking to him. And than there is the holy mother and john the baptists father, ask questions but don't question, or something like that anyhow, Oh yes and jesus was kind of saddened that the pharesees kept asking him for signs and wonders after all he had already done in there sight and with direct witnesses.i'm pretty croutons so some of this wouldn't have come out exactly how i feel about this matter.

P.s. Or possibly it is that i know a little bit about alot, and my wisdom,knowledge and understanding is still in it's infancy, and that i'm not actually croutons

P.s.s if you have tested God(not nescisarily to my analogy of what testing is but discern and pray all everyone has said so far.) and don't condemn yourself just learn from the mistake. I think i may have before. God is Love,God is Good, God saves.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye