“… the balance is fully realized in Christ”

“Imagine the universe as a “perpetual symphony”—a vast, harmonious order where each being, from the tiniest atom to the grandest star, plays its unique role in a cosmic masterpiece. Garrigou-Lagrange describes this divine symphony as intentional and directed by God, the ultimate Symphony Director, whose wisdom guides every movement toward the highest purpose. This is not a random arrangement but a beautiful reflection of God’s infinite mind. Christ’s words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and Aquinas’ insights reinforce that this order stems from God’s supreme intellect and love (ST Ia, q. 22, a.1, ad 2).

Yet this symphony extends beyond the physical world, orchestrating our moral and spiritual journeys as well. Every experience—whether joyful or sorrowful—has a place in God’s grand design. Scripture reassures us in the Book of Job and the Sermon on the Mount that God cares deeply for each soul (Matt. 6:25-30). Life’s challenges, allowed by God, become chances to grow, refining virtues like patience, love, and humility. Through grace, we are drawn closer to God and to the ultimate “beatific vision” where we see Him fully.

Our daily lives offer countless chances to harmonize with this divine order by aligning ourselves with God’s will. Aquinas reminds us, “The good of grace in one is greater than the good of nature in the whole universe” (ST Ia IIae, q. 113, a. 9 ad 2). Thus, life’s true purpose unfolds as we join in this eternal symphony of divine love, wisdom, and grace, playing our part in the great design of creation.

God is the Director of this grand symphony, where His infinite perfections—wisdom, love, justice, and mercy—unite to guide all creation. Each creature’s purpose is like a musical note, intricately woven into His providential plan for ultimate glory. Remarkably, God’s direction doesn’t override our freedom but rather enables it, inviting us to participate in His symphony through our free actions.

Unlike our limited understanding, which divides and analyzes, God sees creation in one timeless vision, holding past, present, and future within His providential care. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange encourages us to live fully in each moment, entrusting past and future to God’s mercy. This perspective invites us to trust deeply in God’s love, knowing that His providence transforms every experience into an opportunity for growth and faith.

Living in this daily surrender, we find a profound harmony with God’s eternal plan. Rising above fear, we place our confidence in His loving care, allowing His wisdom to become our deepest assurance and His peace our greatest reward. In this way, we participate joyfully in the symphony of His providence, following His lead in every note of our lives…

Not Passive

Our role in this symphony is not passive but an active, loving cooperation with God’s will, shown in our daily actions marked by humility, patience, and love. Garrigou-Lagrange calls us to focus on the “duty of the present moment,” where each task, however small, becomes an expression of divine grace. He points to the saints, who found holiness in their everyday routines, seeing them as instruments of God’s transformative work.

To fully embrace our part in this symphony, Garrigou-Lagrange urges us to live in the present, viewing each moment as connected to eternity. “At this moment,” he writes, “God is present and desires to draw me to Himself.” With childlike confidence, we trust that God provides grace for every situation, preparing us for larger challenges through our daily faithfulness. As we join this symphony with trust and love, our lives resonate in harmony with God’s eternal plan.

Darkness and Light

Garrigou-Lagrange encourages us to see God’s providence as a “luminous light” that, paradoxically, can seem dark to “the feeble eyes of our minds.” Divine wisdom and love are like pure white light—too intense for us to fully grasp. This “light-transcending darkness” reminds us that God’s plans exceed human comprehension, inviting us to trust more than we understand. Citing Scripture, Garrigou-Lagrange notes that God “inhabiteth light inaccessible” (1 Tim. 6:16), His brilliance so great that it can seem like shadow to us, yet it is this very light that guides all things to good.

Throughout salvation history, we witness this guiding light—from Job’s trials in the Old Testament to Christ’s teachings in the New Testament, where Jesus assures us that God’s providence extends even to the smallest sparrow (Matt. 6:25-34). Christ’s own passion shows the depth of God’s redemptive plan, where suffering serves as a path to salvation. Garrigou-Lagrange calls us to trust this divine light, even when its purpose seems hidden, and to let every moment be a chance to grow in faith.

Justice and Mercy

In the symphony of providence, God conducts with two guiding arms—justice and mercy—each perfectly harmonized in His direction of creation. Mercy flows from God’s desire to communicate His goodness, while justice upholds His sovereign right to be loved above all else. These attributes work in tandem: justice in setting consequences and order, and mercy in offering grace and forgiveness. Together, they reveal a God who is both supremely just and infinitely compassionate.

This balance is fully realized in Christ, whose life and teachings illuminate the path to eternal life. Jesus lives out God’s mercy through healing and forgiveness, welcoming even those far from grace. Yet, He also highlights divine justice, showing that following God’s will leads to true fulfillment. Garrigou-Lagrange emphasizes that the beatific vision—the soul’s direct encounter with God in eternity—is the ultimate harmonization of justice and mercy, where every trial and grace leads to eternal joy and peace.

— Author unknown to me

The Theological and Philosophical Works of Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (Amazon)