The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Recently a DM reader asked me to write on grace. I am happy to oblige. |
A number of years ago I was leading a workshop on the Cosmic Christ at a large conference in New York City. Following the workshop, a group of five Jewish women came up to me and said, “We have asked our rabbi what grace means, and were unsatisfied with his answer. How do you define grace?” |
Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five speaks to the working of grace in his journey from wrongful arrest and imprisonment to election to the New York City Council. CBS Mornings |
I replied,
“Unconditional love, the flow of unconditional love.” With that they all smiled, thanked me, and walked away. Grace is a blessing, a gift. The word “grace” is related to the word “thanks,” gratia, gratitude, graciousness and gratis. Aquinas says, “Divine help is accorded gratis to human beings
and as a result it quite fittingly took the name grace.” |
A journey through the Namib desert in the rainy season, witnessing its transformation from dry to green. Goldschakal
Studio | Last night there was a huge and pounding rainfall where I live, weathermen call it “a river of rain”. And
it was. And a blessing since the West is always needing rain these days. I recognized grace in that river of rain. Grace is like a gratuitous pounding of water and rain to the parched. |
Grace glistens. Like doxa or glory. Grace is bigger than us—like rain is. It comes from another hand and another place. We do not make it or manufacture it, it is not rationed or in short supply. Grace is abundant. It refreshes. It blesses. Bad
theologies have put a wedge between nature and grace but a mystic like Meister Eckhart recognizes that “nature is grace.” Humans can be instruments of grace to one another and to future generations. |
I prayed last night that rain would drench the souls of ALL human beings at this perilous time in history when we must all wake up and grow up and out of our adolescent state as a species. Wake up to the common |
“Though the night is cold and dark, In our soul, there lies a spark.” Noah Aronson and the BANOT Band sing prayers for the dawning of the light of hope at Solstice. |
good, to the survival of the planet, to the crisis we are all sharing in, to the possibility of a future. Wake up to our capacity for compassion, justice, forgiveness, for creativity and moving on. That would be a grace for sure. To be continued. |
See Matthew Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp. 156f., 277, 293, 308, 362, 379f., 443.
And Fox, Passion For Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart, pp. 30-34, 40-45, 71-79, 91-94, 1-2-113, 576, etc.
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Image: “River Rain Dancer.” Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash |
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Queries for Contemplation What is your experience and understanding of grace? Do you recognize humans as being a grace to one another? Do you
recognize creation as grace? |
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. |
Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation
Spirituality
Matthew Fox renders Thomas Aquinas accessible by interviewing him and thus descholasticizing him. He also translated many of his works such as Biblical commentaries never before in English (or Italian or German of French). He gives Aquinas a forum so that he can be heard in our own time. He presents Thomas Aquinas entirely in his own words, but in a form designed to
allow late 20th-century minds and hearts to hear him in a fresh way.
“The teaching of Aquinas comes through will a fullness and an insight that has never been present in English before and [with] a vital message for the world today.” ~ Fr. Bede Griffiths (Afterword).
Foreword by Rupert Sheldrake
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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. |
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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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