The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers
Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox
|
Week of 12/27-31: Doxa, Giving Birth to Christ in Ourselves and in Transfiguration of the World |
Each Sunday we offer a brief summary of the meditations from the previous week as a kind of “index” inviting you to return to a previous meditation which may call to you. |
December 27, 2022. Doxa, Moxa, and Christmas,
continued.
In this meditation, we reflect on the concepts of moxa (moxie of the rebel Jesus) and doxa, which means “glory.” Mystics and the Scriptures speak about the divine glory or radiance that can emanate from all creatures. Hildegard of Bingen said “there is no creature that lacks a radiance." Thomas Merton had a mystical experience crossing the street in Louisville at rush hour when he saw all the pedestrians around him radiating
light. He asked, “How is it possible to tell everyone they are all walking around shining like the sun?” Matthew tells us that this is the doxa of the Cosmic Christ emanating from all of us. | |
December 28, 2022. Meister Eckart on Our Becoming Mothers of God.
Matthew begins today’s meditation with this important statement: Advent, as we considered a few weeks ago, is not just about humanity waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus around 2000 years ago. It is
also about Divinity waiting for the birth of the Christ in all of us. He continues with these words: If Christmas season is about the Cosmic Christ being born in us and from us, we are invited to imitate Mary by becoming birthers of the Christ ourselves. As Meister Eckhart said in one Christmas sermon: “What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to Christ 1400 years ago and I do not do the same?” |
December 29, 2022. Our Giving Birth to the Christ,
continued.
Meister Eckhart tells us that “God is always needing to be born.” He also asks us, “When do we give birth to Christ?” Borrowing from Eckhart, Matthew answers this question with “Whenever we create from the depths of ourselves.” Eckhart asks, “What help is it to me that the Father gives birth to his Son unless I too give birth to him?” Matthew reminds us: Now is the hour and this is the place for birthing the Son as Mary once did.
And birthing the Cosmic Christ. |
In “THE CREATION OF MAN/Birth Undisturbed,“ producer/director Natalie Lennard depicts Mary, not in the afterglow with angels all around, but in the powerful primal moment of giving birth to Christ.
YouTube. |
December 30, 2022. The Transfiguration and Birthing of the Cosmic Christ.
Thomas Merton said that God speaks to us gently in ten thousand things….He shines not on them but from within them. Meanwhile, one instance when Christ shone from within was the
Transfiguration.
We, too, can be full of light. We, too, can be a Christ. Matthew tells us: One of the many universal meanings and archetypes of Christmas is that we ourselves are born or reborn as other Christs, that we come alive as sons and daughters of the Divine. |
December 31, 2022. New Year’s Eve, 2023, Cosmic Christ & Transfiguration of the World.
In this meditation, we continue to explore the theme of Christ’s
transfiguration, which the Eastern Orthodox Church considers to be the pivotal point of the liturgical year. Russian theologian Nicolas Berdyaev explained it this way: The central idea of the Eastern Fathers was that of theosis, the divination of all creatures, the transfiguration of the world, the idea of the cosmos and not the idea of personal salvation…. Only later Christian consciousness began to value the idea of hell more than the idea of the transfiguration and divinization of
the world…. The kingdom of God is the transfiguration of the world, universal resurrection, a new heaven and a new earth.
What a powerful thought to take into the new year! |
Transfiguration as human theosis:
rays of Jesus’ glory touching his apostles.
Russian Orthodox icon by Dionisius, 15th century,
Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Photo by Jim Forest on Flickr |
The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance In what may be considered the most comprehensive outline of the Christian paradigm shift of our Age, Matthew Fox eloquently foreshadows the manner in which the spirit of Christ resurrects in terms of the return to an earth-based mysticism, the expression of creativity, mystical sexuality, the respect due the young, the rebirth of effective forms of worship—all of these
mirroring the ongoing blessings of Mother Earth and the recovery of Eros, the feminine aspect of the Divine.
“The eighth wonder of the world…convincing proof that our Western religious tradition does indeed have the depth of imagination to reinvent its faith.” — Brian Swimme, author of The Universe Story and Journey of the Universe. | |
Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring
Spirituality of Meister Eckhart
Matthew Fox’s comprehensive translation of Meister Eckhart’s sermons is a meeting of true prophets across centuries, resulting in a spirituality for the new millennium. The holiness of creation, the divine life in each person and the divine power of our creativity, our call to do justice and practice
compassion–these are among Eckhart’s themes, brilliantly interpreted and explained for today’s reader.
“The most important book on mysticism in 500 years.” — Madonna Kolbenschlag, author of Kissing Sleeping Beauty Goodbye.
| |
A Way to God: Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality
Journey In A Way to God, Fox explores Merton’s pioneering work in interfaith, his essential teachings on mixing contemplation and action, and how the vision of Meister Eckhart profoundly influenced Merton in what Fox calls his Creation Spirituality journey.
“This wise and marvelous book will profoundly
inspire all those who love Merton and want to know him more deeply.” — Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism Goodbye. | |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, please click HERE
to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Upcoming Events See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as the Center for Contemporary Mysticism hosts him in a Conversation on
“Creation Spirituality: Birthing a New World.” Sunday, January 8, 2023, 11 am PT (UTC/GMT-7). Register HERE. |
Please share this post! Just click the buttons below.
OR share your insights on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox
|
|
|
|
