The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Further Meditations on Grace, Christmas,
& Divinity Visiting Earth 12/27/2023 |
Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner connects Christmas and grace in a very direct way when he writes that the “highest realization” of the “Christian doctrine of grace [is] when the divine logos becomes a creature.” |
It follows that Christmas is an especially grace-filled event with consequences for all humanity. Indeed, grace “divinizes the essence, powers and activity of humans.” Thanks to the Christmas event, the Incarnation of Divinity entering human history with all its trials and
tribulations, and “by the Absolute outgoing self-communication,..and by the incarnation and grace…the created world” is set “free for its own history.” What an invitation lies here for humanity to grow up and stand up, become adults |
The intimacy of incarnation: “Madonna Breastfeeding the Child.” Painting by Pompeo Batoni, c. 1770. Museo de Arte de São Paulo, on Wikimedia Commons. |
who are
lovers and justice-makers and peace-makers! This is surely our “own history” that we are now set free to create, isn’t it? Christmas is an ultimate moment in
the “self-communication” of Divinity or “the Absolute’s” special outreach to human beings. The Creator God is not distant or impersonal, but very eager to dwell among humans. Earth, a tiny dot in a two-trillion-galaxy universe, boasts a special divine visitation. So speaks the Christmas and Jesus story. |
Humanity learns of divine visitation: “Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds.” Painting by Govert Flinck, 1639. Louvre Museum, on Wikimedia Commons. | The result of that visitation, says Rahner, is that by grace God communicates himself [and] makes humans share in the very nature of God. Humanity constitutes as co-heir with the Son himself, called to the eternal life of God face to face, called to receive the direct vision of God, called therefore to receive God’s own
life. |
We are
curious about UFOs and about other forms of intelligent life visiting or having visited planet Earth—as well we should be. But what about the Maker of the Cosmos and the Great Mystery visiting Earth as well? Is there evidence that God truly visits the Earth? The Christ story says that has happened and is happening still, the incarnation is a
“continuous incarnation” just as creation is a “continuous creation” as Père Chenu puts it so succinctly. |
*Karl Rahner in The Encyclopedia of Theology: The Concise Sacramentum Mundi, pp. 588, 591.
See Matthew Fox, “Sermon One: All Creatures Are Words of God,” and “Sermon Two: Creation: A Flowing Out But Remaining Within” in Fox, Passion For Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart, pp. 57-74.
Also see Fox, A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
Also see Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
Banner Image: “Adoration of the Shepherds.” Gerard van Honthorst , c. 1622. Pomeranian State Museum, on Wikimedia Commons via Google Art Project. |
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Queries for Contemplation Do you sense at times that the essence, powers and activity of humans have become
divinized? What are those times? |
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. |
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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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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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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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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