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 12/4-9/2023:
The "Power of Roundness" &
the Homophobia of Catholic Prelates 12/10/2023 |
December 4, 2023: The Roundness to the Recent Synod in the Vatican
When Matthew was asked his opinion about the recent synod in the Vatican, his spontaneous response was that the round tables were the most
important part. Sitting at round tables, where one can look into each person’s face and gauge reactions, enables more empathy. It also renders null the hierarchical model. Once, when giving a talk about “Climbing Jacob’s ladder vs. dancing Sara’s circle,” a woman came up to me afterwards and said, “My husband is vice president of a large corporation, and what you say is true. A ladder is very precarious. I don’t know anyone on the ladder who feels secure or even happy. And that
includes their families as well.” |
King Arthur’s Round Table has long been considered a symbol of equality and cooperation, as distinct from hierarchy. Detail from Lancelot (1470), attributed to either Gaultier Moap or Michel Gantelet. Wikimedia Commons. |
December 5, 2023: Black Elk & Meister Eckhart on the Power of Round
Referring to Pope Francis’s decision to use round tables at the recent synod, Cardinal Cupich of Chicago said that it represents “a new way of
being church.”* Indigenous people notice the prevalence of the circle in the natural world, and so their ritual sites and dwelling places often reflect circular energy. (Medicine wheels, kivas, teepees, etc.) Black Elk says: Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round…. Meister Eckhart also acknowledges the power of the circle. He says, “Heaven runs constantly in a circle,” and the soul
is a “circle of the world.” |
December 6, 2023: Round Models of Organization: Can They Work?
The round model of the recent synod in the Vatican originated in Latin America. It resulted in the bishops developing “a kind of dynamic of working together
and looking for solutions together.” A commission was appointed to write a document addressing how to “transmit the faith from one generation to the next” in a new cultural context, and Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina—the future Pope Francis—was chosen president of that commission. Clearly he carried that vision forward to the Vatican. |
“Pope Francis, sometimes called the “People’s Pope,” among the people in St. Peter’s Square in 2013, two months after his election. Photo by Edgar Jimenez on Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 2.0 |
December 7, 2023: Pope Francis Cleans House, Expelling Cardinal Burke from His Vatican Apartment
Pope Francis recently expelled Cardinal Burke from his luxurious apartment in the Vatican
confines. This apartment received quite a bit of attention in the eye-opening book, In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy, by French journalist Frederic Martel. He reported that photos on the wall reveal “the diva cardinal; the dandy cardinal; the drama-queen cardinal. They must be seen to be believed.” In the corridor are numerous boxes where the cardinal stores his headdresses, fake fur coats and his red trapezoid outfits. He appears to relish wearing the cappa magna, a red train that trails a whopping 12 meters, making him look “like a Viking bride.” Pope
Francis confronted Burke several times about his outfits, telling him the cappa magna is inappropriate: “The carnival is over!”* December 8, 2023: Cardinal Burke,
continued
Cardinal Burke, recently ejected from his 5000-square-foot rent-free luxury apartment in the Vatican by Pope Francis, is a friend of Steve Bannon and far-right wing American politicos. He was the keynote speaker in 2019 at the gathering of super right-wing Catholics at the Napa Institute. While Burke seems to relish the ornate and extravagant outfits of his position, he is
vehemently “anti-gay and rages against homosexuality.” In fact, “his homophobia is so intense that it even disturbs the most homophobic Italian cardinals.” Says Matthew, “It almost seems like he protesteth too much.” |
His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke enters the sanctuary wearing the Cappa Magna for Solemn Benediction at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory. He is accompanied by his Familiari, who represent the members of his household. Photo by Phil Roussin on Flickr. December 9, 2023: Some Questions for Homophobic Catholic Prelates
Matthew suggests several questions to ask the homophobes of the Catholic hierarchy. Some of them are: How are you so sure of your position when Jesus never once spoke on the subject? Is it not similar to those prelates who were so positive Galileo was wrong about the Earth circling the sun? Have you studied the document published by the American Psychology Association in 1973 which said that 8-10% of any given human population is
going to be gay? Are your diatribes against gays an expression of self-hatred? |
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. |
Matthew’s weekly video reflection now appears each Monday
— watch for it! |
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 |
|
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 |
|
The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved
The Pope’s War offers a provocative look at three decades of corruption in the
Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic Christianity.
“This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope.
“In the gripping The Pope’s War, Matthew Fox takes an unwavering look at the layers of corruption in the Catholic Church, holding moral truth against power.” — Jason Berry, author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II |
|
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.
"This delicious book for children of all ages celebrates joy as the essential truth of reality." - Andrew Harvey, Author of The Hope and Radical Regeneration "I absolutely LOVED reading this beautiful, creative, stirring
story." - Robert Holden, Author of Happiness NOW! and Higher Purpose
Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. | |
|
|
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 |
|
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.
|
|
Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
|
|
|
