Confusion About Man's Ability To Interfere With God's Wishes

[wyndysascha]

Hello Everyone,

I’m very confused about a particular element of Catholic thinking. My question may be more suited to the ‘Philosophy’ forum - however, I’m reading about Catholic teachings with a view to undertaking the RCIA and the people here have been very helpful to me in the past. I’m hoping that this thread will be just as illuminating!

(I should point out that I get the feeling that my question touches on a vast and complex subject - my apologies if I appear clumsy or poorly-read!)

A great deal of Catholic thought deals with what I suppose one could call “God’s prerogatives”. Contraception (amongst other concerns) interferes with God’s role in the generation of life. Euthanasia interferes with God’s own determinations as to when a person’s life should end.

My question is this: to what extent can an individual frustrate God’s will? It seems difficult to me to appreciate that an ordinary person can get in the way of what God wants. If God has a larger plan, does this mean ordinary people can get in the way of that plan?

I understand that this might be too large an issue to adequately discuss in a forum. However, if someone can point me to some introductory literature on the subject - or, at the least, mention the exact Catholic doctrines and terminology on the matter so that I can research things myself - I’d be extremely grateful.

 

[ana01]

I think you should read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
My opinion is this: God’s Will, will be accomplished no matter what. He did give us free will, which we at times wrongly use. But no ordinary person can ‘get in the way’ of His Divine plans. I think we can simply abuse our free will (and cause a huge mess of things). However, God’s Will, will remain unchanged.

 

[joshrp]

Hello Everyone,

I’m very confused about a particular element of Catholic thinking. My question may be more suited to the ‘Philosophy’ forum - however, I’m reading about Catholic teachings with a view to undertaking the RCIA and the people here have been very helpful to me in the past. I’m hoping that this thread will be just as illuminating!

(I should point out that I get the feeling that my question touches on a vast and complex subject - my apologies if I appear clumsy or poorly-read!)

A great deal of Catholic thought deals with what I suppose one could call “God’s prerogatives”. Contraception (amongst other concerns) interferes with God’s role in the generation of life. Euthanasia interferes with God’s own determinations as to when a person’s life should end.

My question is this: to what extent can an individual frustrate God’s will? It seems difficult to me to appreciate that an ordinary person can get in the way of what God wants. If God has a larger plan, does this mean ordinary people can get in the way of that plan?

I understand that this might be too large an issue to adequately discuss in a forum. However, if someone can point me to some introductory literature on the subject - or, at the least, mention the exact Catholic doctrines and terminology on the matter so that I can research things myself - I’d be extremely grateful.

One hypothesis I have about this is that one can choose to either participate or refuse to enter into God’s plan. God’s will is not necessarily about specific events or actions happening, but about the building of a kingdom. God’s kingdom already exists in eternity. We have the choice of whether we are going to knock and enter the door, or if we are going to as Mother Angelica said on one program say to Jesus “I don’t like you, I don’t love you, I don’t care about your redemption or your sacrifice, I want to do what I want to do and I don’t want to live with you forever.”

 

[wyndysascha]

I think you should read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

I’ve been doing some reading of the Catechism over the past few evenings, as ana01 has suggested. Parts that seem especially relevant are God Reveals His “Plan of Loving Goodness” and The Church in God’s Plan.

I think I understand my confusion a little better. I had assumed that (as joshrp says) God’s will would be about specific events and happenings. The Catechism (as I’ve read it) outlines God’s plan and will as being the completion (if that’s the right word) of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. The things that I do won’t affect that inevitability; they’ll simply affect what my own role in that will be.

Thank You very much, ana01 and joshrp!

 

[ana01]

You’re welcome