The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
The
Role of Art in Healing, Love, & Justice-Making 12/13/2023 |
Our two most recent DMs celebrated the life and work of Norman Lear, who revolutionized television comedy and television itself by daring to shed light on the brokenness in our society. His method? The art of comedy. |
By getting us to laugh, he taught us to listen more deeply to self and others. And to those different from ourselves. All art is meant to do this: To heal. To awaken. To tell the truth. To bring people together. Surely this is one reason Jesus chose the art of parable-telling
as his mode of waking people up. |
Norman Lear, interviewed by his son-in-law Dr. Jonathan LaPook, talks about the importance of laughter, listening, and social activism in keeping him going strong. CBS Sunday Morning |
In his iconic book, Jesus Before Christianity, South African theologian Albert Nolan says: Nothing could be more unauthoritative than the parables of Jesus. Their whole purpose is to enable the listener to discover something for oneself. They are not illustrations of revealed doctrines; they are works of art which reveal or uncover the truth about
life. |
Rachel Maddow looks at Ron DeSantis’ desperate “war on woke” in the context of Florida politicians waging a similar battle to their own political detriment in the 1950s. MSNBC | Today some politicians are busy turning the theme of “waking up”
into a negative thing they call “woke.” This is especially ironic since these same politicians love to brag about how religious or “Christian” they are–when Jesus himself urges people to “stay awake” and so does St. Paul. |
In that spirit, Hildegard of Bingen tells us to “awaken from our dullness and arise vigorously toward justice.” Notice, being dull is being asleep to injustice for Hildegard. White supremacy or homophobia or misogyny such as we witness on display from the Texas legislature and Texas Supreme Court this week–all that is a kind of dullness in Hildegard’s eyes. |
How could a person who dares to call himself a follower of Christ turn the theme of waking up into something negative? Or preach hate of people different from themselves when Jesus called for love and justice toward all? |
“Expanding our ideas about love through art theology.” Theologian Angela Hummel describes her discovery of spiritual understanding through making art. TEDx Talks |
Many people recognize the powerful role that art plays in waking people up and spreading truth in human hearts. To be continued. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Original Blessing, pp. 240, 208-219.
And Fox, Hildegard of Bingen: A Saint For Our Times, pp. 43ff.
Banner Image: “Peace and Love.” Banksy mural in Chinatown, San Francisco. Photo by Ryan Sharp on Wikimedia Commons. |
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Queries for Contemplation How does art awaken you and enliven you on your spiritual journey? How do you as artist do the same for others? |
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! |
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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Hildegard of Bingen, A Saint for Our Times: Unleashing Her Power in the 21st Century
Matthew Fox writes in Hildegard of Bingen about this amazing woman and what we can learn from
her.
In an era when women were marginalized, Hildegard was an outspoken, controversial figure. Yet so visionary was her insight that she was sought out by kings, popes, abbots, and bishops for advice.
“This book gives strong, sterling, and unvarnished evidence that everything – everything – we ourselves become will affect what women
after us may also become….This is a truly marvelous, useful, profound, and creative book.” ~~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism.
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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
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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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