The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
The
Grace & Heart of Christmas, 2023 12/25/2023 |
At the heart of Christmas, there lies a story of Grace and Good News fit for all humans: That the Maker of this two-trillion-galaxy-universe — each with hundreds of billions of stars — has visited our tiny planet in human form. |
“Why?” you ask. Meister Eckhart says God visited us out of compassion, and had to “take on a back for beatings” in order to understand our suffering fully. With two wars raging this Christmas, that rings true. About one, I heartily recommend this article that calls for some “tough love” for Netanyahu’s government.* Clement of Alexandria said that “the logos of God has become |
Christ in Time of War: Joseph watches over a heavily-pregnant Mary among the ruins of modern Israel/Gaza. AI-generated image, artist unknown. Posted by Polish Jesuit Grzegorz Kramer.
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human so that you might learn from a human being how a human being may become divine.” Recently I was part of an international symposium on the work of Otto Rank. One leader, who identified as an atheist, said he later changed |
The Light coming down from Heaven: A meteor shower captured by time-lapse. Photo by Shreshth Gupta on Unsplash. | his identity after hearing me speak of the two trillion galaxies that constitute our universe. He said he was taken aback and humbled, and felt maybe there is some Intelligence far greater than his, behind this vast universe of two trillion galaxies and its 13.8 billion year journey, after all. And this Great Mystery we call God. |
Add
to that realization: the Good News Story that this Great Mystery has visited us, beginning in a manger in a tiny, unremarkable village, grew up as a peasant farmer and carpenter, and developed into a parable-teller, who spoke directly to the hearts of ordinary and oppressed peoples under the yoke of an occupying empire. |
And he took on that empire, proposing that a "kingdom/ queendom of God” displace it, beginning in the hearts of humans. At the heart of that reign would dwell humanity’s capacity for love and compassion, justice and forgiveness. And who died a cruel (but not uncommon) death on a cross, as was the practice of that cruel empire. And
that death did not have the last word. |
In 1642, Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie in Canada, told the story of Jesus’ nativity in terms the native Hurons could understand — thereby turning the turning the story itself into a parable, and creating North America’s oldest Christmas carol. Here, the first verse is sung in the
original Huron. Video by GenevaSkyMusic. |
Those who reflected on these stories came to insights like this: “We are partakers in the divine nature.” (2 Peter: 1:4) “God became a human being in order that human beings might become God.” (Irenaeus) A Blessed Christmas to all. To be continued. |
* Thomas L. Friedman, "It's Time for the U.S. to Give Israel Some Tough Love." The New York Times, December 22,
2023.
Adapted from Matthew Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance, pp. 108f.
And Fox, Passion For Creation: Meister Eckhart’s Earth-Honoring
Spirituality, pp. 415-439.
And Fox and Bishop Marc Andrus, Stations of the Cosmic Christ.
Banner image: Jesus Christ’s humble beginnings in a stable. Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash. |
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Queries for Contemplation What is the grace and heart of Christmas for you? |
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. |
The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
In what may be considered the most comprehensive outline of the Christian
paradigm shift of our Age, Matthew Fox eloquently foreshadows the manner in which the spirit of Christ resurrects in terms of the return to an earth-based mysticism, the expression of creativity, mystical sexuality, the respect due the young, the rebirth of effective forms of worship—all of these mirroring the ongoing blessings of Mother Earth and the recovery of Eros, the feminine aspect of the Divine.
“The eighth
wonder of the world…convincing proof that our Western religious tradition does indeed have the depth of imagination to reinvent its faith.” — Brian Swimme, author of The Universe Story and Journey of the Universe. |
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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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Stations of the Cosmic Christ
By Matthew Fox and Bishop Marc Andrus.
This is a book of meditations on the Cosmic Christ, accompanying the images of
16 wonderful clay tablets by Javier Ullrrich Lemus and M.C. Richards. Together, these images and meditations go far beyond the traditional Stations of the Cross to inspire a spirit awakening and understanding of the cosmic Christ Consciousness, Buddha consciousness, and consciousness of the image of God in all beings, so needed in our times.
“A divinely inspired book that must be read by every human being devoted to
spiritual and global survival. It is cosmically brilliant.” — Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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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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