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 11/27-12/02/2023:
Fighting Injustice & Finding Joy 12/03/2023 |
November 27, 2023: Joy and Justice, Birds of a Feather
Aquinas, Terry Tempest Williams, and Rabbi Heschel all celebrate Joy. Rabbi Heschel teaches: “When we sing, we sing for all things,” and “joy lies at the
very heart of worship.” And God is not only the Creator of earth and heaven but is also the One ‘who created delight and Joy’….Even lowly merriment has its ultimate origin in holiness. Williams reminds us that birds sing at dawn and dusk to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated. Meanwhile, the poet Rilke says we “do justice only where we praise.” In this way he is linking justice and
joy. After all, justice brings balance back so that joy flows more freely. Joy empowers us in the struggle for justice and keeps us going. |
The joy of birdsong. Virtuoso nightingales sing during the day, too! Video by Wildlife
World. |
November 28, 2023: Is There Joy in Injustice and Fascism?
America was once considered a beacon of democracy. Now, sadly, an entire political party and many so-called Christians
embrace a man hellbent on destroying democracy. Rachel Maddow’s new book, Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism, tells an important story of the allure of fascism in pre-World
War II America. She shares the story of the Roman Catholic priest in the Detroit area, Father Coughlin, who had over 30 million devout followers listening to his weekly radio show that spewed hatred toward Jews and praised fascism. Hitler and his cronies actually studied Jim Crow laws in America in order to learn how to create laws and pogroms against Jews and other minorities. No, there is no joy in fascism. Instead of Joy, fascism promises hate, fear, projection,
violence, anger, grievance and blame. |
The Atlantic’s Peter Wehner joins Morning Joe to discuss the growing allegiance of evangelical Christians to “a man who embodies cruelty” and ignores the teachings of Jesus. MSNBC |
November 29, 2023: Religion & Fascism: Examination of Conscience in a Time of Advent
The Conference of Catholic Bishops recently declared that
their number one priority this upcoming presidential election year will be abortion. Not the destruction of democracy and rule of law; and not even climate change, the subject of not one, but two encyclicals by Pope Francis. Yesterday we considered Fr. Coughlin’s antisemitic radio program which reached 30 million listeners. Mussolini, Franco and Hitler also used the church in their reigns of terror, and now many churches in our country are espousing the dictator
wannabe who is again running for president. Fascism with its extreme homophobia and misogynist desire to control women's bodies seems to hold a special appeal to some Roman Catholic hierarchy in America today. Let the season of Advent be a fitting time for collective examination of conscience regarding religion’s role in the history of American fascism. November 30, 2023: Advent 2023: Good News & Bad News
Matthew asks the question: Is it possible to be a fascist and a Christian? The obvious answer is no. Matthew puts forth the following: I would love to see an encyclical on that subject from Pope Francis before he retires or dies. After all, since Pope Francis’ people fled Italy in the 1930s because of the rising tide of fascism, he seems especially fit to take on this important subject. Matthew states that he does not find “Catholic bishops in bed
with political zealots bent on authoritarianism the least bit Christ-like.” How can we bring the Advent message of promised love and Good News back to the fore? |
December 1, 2023: More Good News alongside Questions for the USCCB
At this year’s plenary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, they unanimously agreed that
abortion was the #1 issue before the country right now. There are some questions we would like to see the bishops answer. Among them: Why do you feel anointed to tell women what decisions they can and cannot make about their bodies? Why don’t you care about saving Mother Earth, such as Pope Francis proposes in two encyclicals? Why don’t you take a stand on getting dark money out of politics? (to be continued) December 2, 2023: Further Questions for USCCB in Advent & Presidential
Election Season
When the Conference of Catholic Bishops convened recently, instead of providing moral leadership for all that is wrong in our country and world, they chose to focus on one thing as primary: abortion. We have some more questions for those bishops. Why not prioritize voting rights for black Americans? Why not fight the rise of fascism in our country? Why not speak for the poor, and against
tax breaks for billionaires? Why not speak up for healthcare that one presidential candidate is promising to repeal? Why not speak out against the candidate who continues to support Putin in the face of his immoral war in Ukraine? Why not speak up for democracy when Trump is threatening a very different kind of kingdom than the one Jesus proclaims? |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Don’t miss Matthew’s weekly video reflection each Monday. |
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author
Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
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A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality & The Transformation of Christianity
A modern-day theologian’s call for the radical transformation of Christianity that will allow us to move once again from the hollow trappings of organized religion to genuine spirituality. A New Reformation echoes the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517 and offers a new vision of Christianity that values the Earth, honors the feminine, and respects science and deep ecumenism.
"This is a deep and forceful book….With prophetic insight, Matthew Fox reveals what has corrupted religion in the West and the therapy for its healing." ~Bruce Chilton, author of Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical, cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting
seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet.
"Matthew Fox has created a narrative, for every parent and grandparent, both spiritual and scientific, that is a gift for all elders who recognize
their responsibility in initiating the young ones into the grandeur of existence." Cosmologist Brian Swimme, Author of Cosmogenesis and The Universe Story "Matthew Fox has given all of us, children included, a
wondrous and enchanting view of creation and all that humanity should aspire to." - Caroline Myss, Author of Anatomy of the Spirit and A Time for Grace
Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew
Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout.
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_____________________________________________________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE SPECIAL EVENT: 5-DAY WORKSHOP IN AQUINAS’ HOMETOWN OF ORVIETO, ITALY
WITH MATTHEW FOX, MESHI CHAVEZ, AND CLAUDIA PICARDI
JUNE 9-14, 2024
LEARN MORE HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest ” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat.Thursday, January 18, 4:00-6:00 pm PT. Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he lectures on “What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying “ at the Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, “Emerging Spiritualities: Death and Bereavement Across the Spiritual Spectrum,” Saturday, January 20, 9:00am – 5:00pm PT .
Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT. Register HERE |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Hunger for Wholeness: What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1) In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia Delio
and theologian Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned.
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