Whatever is a true positive good is of itself desirable and we may ask it of God.

And if it is licit for us to ask for, to desire, and to put forth great efforts for the acquisition of health, knowledge, and sharpness of wit, so also it ought to be lawful […] to seek, desire, and strive for so superior a good as the health, knowledge, and penetration which the divine Spirit communicates (cf. 1 Cor 14:1).

There is not the least presumption in this if it is desired with the right intention, just as there is no presumption in the desire to receive Communion in order to please God and to nourish and fortify our souls.

Presumption lies in desiring these things from motives of vainglory, and not when they are sought as an aid for our weakness, to establish us in humility and all the other virtues, to make us grow in the grace and knowledge of God and in all things, according to Jesus Christ, until we arrive at the fullness of perfect and truly spiritual men.

We already know that no one can be such unless he is animated, directed, and governed by the divine Spirit and greatly enriched by His precious gifts. […]

Although no one should attempt to place himself in that state to which he has not yet been called, much less attempt to fly without wings, yet all souls can and should ask that the gates be opened to them and should beg for wings like the dove – which are the precious gifts of wisdom and understanding – so that they may fly and be at rest.

They should be assured that they will be filled with holy desires and that “everyone that asketh, receiveth, and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened” (Mt 7:8). […]

By the very fact that this state is of such great worth and that we are unable to attain it by our own efforts, we should beg for it with great insistence, saying with the Samaritan woman, “Lord, give me to drink of this water.” […]

If it is not asked for ardently, that is only because it is not known or appreciated. “If thou didst know the gift of God… thou perhaps would have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water… springing up into life everlasting” (Jn 4:10-15). […]

The divine Spouse is continually calling all souls and He is desirous of celebrating with them the banquet of the mystical nuptials (cf. Rv 3:20). If we do not cooperate with Him or if we make ourselves deaf to His invitations, the fault is ours.

 

ARINTERO, OP, John G. The Mystical Evolution. St. Louis - London: Herder, 1951, v. II, p. 384-389.