Grace, the Seed of Glory
- FATHER REGINALD GARRIGOU-LAGRANGE, O.P.
If we wish to understand the essence of the life of grace in us, we must consider it as an embryonic form of everlasting life, as the very seed of glory….
In this way God dwells in infants whereas he did not dwell in the greatest pagan philosophers. He delights in making his presence felt in the hearts of the most humble Christians….
Behold the mustard seed in us! If we only understood the gift of God! If we only understood, as Saint Paul tells us (cf. 1 Cor 13:12), that it is superior to the gift of prophecy, to the gift of miracles, to the science of angels! Miracles and prophecies are only signs that permit man to recognize the Word of God, whereas grace, charity, makes it possible for God himself to live in us and make us live with his love, thereby disposing us immediately to everlasting life. Since it is the principle of all merit, every work that does not proceed from it is dead, fruitless for salvation. It is the progress, the development of this seed, that we must study, already knowing the goal to which it tends….
Lord, make us understand the infinite value of everlasting life which you have placed in us. Infuse in our heart a deep hatred of evil that could make us lose it. Teach us in a practical way how it ought to grow in us, that we may become like to you and merit to be called your brothers and friends in the Kingdom of heaven.
This is Meaghen Gonzalez, Editor of CERC. I hope you appreciated this piece. We curate these articles especially for believers like you.
Please show your appreciation by making a $3 donation. CERC is entirely reader supported.
Acknowledgement
Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, o.p. "Grace, the Seed of Glory." Knowing the Love of God: Lessons from a Spiritual Master (DeKalb, IL.: Lighthouse Catholic Media, 2015).
Reprinted with permission of Lighthouse Catholic Media.
The Author
Father Garrigou-Lagrange († 1964) was a prolific Dominican theologian and spiritual writer. He was the theology doctoral advisor of the future Saint John Paul II.
Copyright © 2015 Lighthouse Catholic Media
