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Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox
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Hildegard on How Human Beings
Amaze the Angels
Hildegard tells us that
...all of the angels are amazed at humans, who through their holy works appear clothed with an incredibly beautiful garments. For the angel without the work of the flesh is simply praise, but the humans with their corporeal works are a
glorification: therefore the angels praise humans’ work.
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I find these passages to be among the most stunning in all of Hildegard’s angelology. When most people think of angels, if they think of them at all, they are amazed at angels and feel inferior to the angels.
But here we have Hildegard saying the angels are amazed at us. What dignity and healthy pride that gives our species! And why are they amazed at us?
| A brief introduction to the street medics of BeLoved Asheville, NC, providing free care to the homeless and vulnerable. BeLoved
Asheville.
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Because of our holy works. Angels only choose once. But we, with our constant creativity, entering so fully into the evolutionary habits of the universe, are unfolding and yet doing so often consciously and deliberately, by choice. I hear Hildegard saying that our works, our choices, astound the angels. It’s wonderful.
And then she says the angel is simply praise, but the human being is a glorification. That is one more reason why the angels praise humanity’s works. Again she’s honoring matter here, she’s honoring flesh. In one way she’s saying that the angels’ life compared with ours is much duller. It’s simply praise, it’s predictable, whereas ours is constantly bringing new
things into the world and praise from the angels results from this.
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“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” sung by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles: “The longer they wiped their tears, the longer the audience applauded." itswhatwelooklike
| Humans are an unusual species. So often we see the shadow side of our being. We are a
bridge between the material world and the spirit world, and it can get us down. How badly we fail both worlds!
But here Hildegard extols this unique experiment on God’s part, our being both spirit and body. She’s saying that we are fascinating, we are amazing, we are praiseworthy to the angels.
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Indeed, Hildegard tells us that
…the angels lift up their voices to God in praise of the good works of humanity. They continually praise the ever-increasing good works of humankind. They climb onto the golden altar which stands before God’s countenance. And from now on they intone a new song to honor these works.
To be continued...
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Queries for Contemplation
What does it mean to you to hear that humans are a "glorification"?
And that humans “amaze” the angels? Is this kind of invitation to human greatness a necessary for surviving the obvious capacity for evil and destruction humanity is currently displaying?
Adapted from Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake, The Physics of Angels, pp. 160f.
To read the transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner Image: Sunset support. Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay
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The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science & Spirit Meet
When was the last time a scientist and a theologian discussed angels together? What are angels? Many people believe in angels, but few can define these enigmatic spirits. Now visionary theologian Matthew Fox and acclaimed biologist Rupert Sheldrake—pioneers in modern religious thinking and scientific theory—launch a groundbreaking exploration into the ancient concept of
the angel and restore dignity, meaning, and joy to our time-honored belief in these heavenly beings.
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Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, please click HERE
to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field.
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See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE
Join Alessandra Belloni and Matthew Fox for a shared online event, "The Black Madonna: Patron and Protector of the GLBTQ and Other Outcasts of Dominant Society." Wednesday, June 29, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE.
Join Matthew Fox as he offers an online lecture and Q&A on "Hildegard of Bingen: A Saint for Our Times" to The College of Psychic Studies, London, Thursday, June 30, 11:00am-12:30pm PT.
Register HERE.
Join Matthew Fox at the monthly Our Lady of the Prairie Virtual Retreat with a discussion of "The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times." Thursday, July 14, 4:00pm-6:00pm PT.
Register
HERE.
Creation Spirituality in Conversation.
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Victor Fuhrman of Destination Unlimited on OMTimes interviews Matthew Fox on Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality. Navigate to the podcast page by clicking the image on the left.
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Announcing Matthew Fox's Newest Book!
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Matthew Fox: Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality
Selected with an introduction by Charles Burack
"A beautiful selection of Matthew Fox’s vast treasury of writings that is inspiring a new generation of mystic explorers, justice makers, cosmic thinkers, Earth keepers and environmental activists."
—Robert Holden, author of Higher Purpose, Holy Shift and Finding Love Everywhere.
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