The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
A
Thank You to Norman Lear,
a Bearer of Light 12/11/2023 |
Advent and Hannukah season are now both upon us. Each brings promises of light to a world clearly wrapped in darkness at this time of history. It is often
useful when discussing spiritual topics to go to its opposite first. We have been doing this recently by discussing how the Catholic Bishops Conference is pushing abortion as their Number One issue this upcoming presidential year. This in preference to Climate Change, Misogyny, Authoritarianism and other moral demands. |
Sadly, religious leaders can choose to line up with fanatics and fascists ushering in darkness instead of light. Humans are called to be bearers of Light. Norman Lear, who left us this past week at the age of 101, was a light-bearer. He was a prophet in |
A tribute to Norman Lear upon his death at age 101, after more than 40 years of activism. Video by PFAWdotorg. |
the sense that Rabbi Heschel talks about a prophet—one who interferes. Norman Lear was a light-bearing man. Like all prophets, Lear used art to spread light. The art of comedy. |
The logo for People For the American Way. Image taken from their website. | Both in his comedy and in his non-profit, People for the
American Way, he shed light on cultural issues of injustice, including racial, gender, social and economic injustice. Wisely, he chose humor as a means to bring people together on what needs interfering with. |
I was privileged several years ago to receive an invitation from Norman to have lunch with him in Los Angeles. I remember thanking him for his many contributions to our culture by way of his programs such as “All in the Family” that dealt with Joy and Justice by way of comedy. |
Much of our conversation focused on Hildegard of Bingen. He told me his wife was an artist and was very familiar with my first book on Hildegard, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, wherein I shared 24 of her paintings and mandalas, with commentaries drawn from her works and other sources of creation spirituality. Norman wanted to learn more. |
Comedy that is still relevant today: "Archie Bunker's" memorable (and hilarious) conversation on slavery with guest star Sammy Davis Jr. on an episode of All In The Family. Video by baldevis. |
Needless to say, I found him alive and lively, curious and intelligent, creative and a great conversationist. To be continued. |
See Matthew Fox,
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen.
And Fox, Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality, pp. 250-292.
And Fox, A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice. Banner image: People For the American Way’s tribute to their founder, Norman Lear. Taken from their website. |
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Queries for Contemplation How do you see light emerging in this time of Advent and Hannukah 2023? Was Norman Lear and his work a certain light-bearer in your life?
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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. |
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen
An introduction to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen, Illuminations reveals the life and teachings of one of the greatest female artists and intellectuals of the Western Mystical
Tradition. At the age of 42, she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations–24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them.
“If one person deserves credit for the great Hildegard renaissance in our time, it is Matthew Fox.” – Dr Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of Sacred Voices. |
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Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Matthew Fox lays out a whole new direction for Christianity—a direction that is in fact very ancient and very grounded in Jewish thinking (the fact that Jesus was a Jew
is often neglected by Christian theology): the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality, the Vias Positiva, Negativa, Creativa and Transformativa in an extended and deeply developed way.
“Original Blessing makes available to the Christian world and to the human community a radical cure for all dark and derogatory views of the natural world wherever these may have originated.” –Thomas Berry, author,
The Dream of the Earth; The Great Work; co-author, The Universe Story |
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A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
In A Spirituality Named Compassion, Matthew Fox delivers a profound exploration of the
meaning and practice of compassion. Establishing a spirituality for the future that promises personal, social, and global healing, Fox marries mysticism with social justice, leading the way toward a gentler and more ecological spirituality and an acceptance of our interdependence which is the substratum of all compassionate activity.
“Well worth our deepest
consideration…Puts compassion into its proper focus after centuries of neglect.” –The Catholic Register |
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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 does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ "Matthew Fox offers a resounding
affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy 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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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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