The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Week
of 12/25-30/2023:
Divinity on Earth, Grace, Creativity 12/31/2023 |
December 25, 2023: The Grace & Heart of Christmas, 2023
A
story of Grace and Good News lies at the heart of Christmas, and it is this: The Creator chose to visit our tiny planet in human form. St. Irenaeus said: “God became a human being in order that human beings might become God.” This Great Mystery we call God had humble beginnings on Earth, but he grew 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. Within our hearts reign humanity’s capacity for love and compassion, justice and forgiveness. |
“Adoration of the Shepherds.” Gerard van Honthorst , c. 1622. Pomeranian State Museum,
on Wikimedia Commons via Google Art Project. |
December 26, 2023: Christmas, Grace & the Divine Life Inside Us & Our Actions
Thomas Aquinas said, “The Son of God became human in order that humans might become gods and become the children of God.” And
again, we read: The Incarnation accomplished the following: That God became human and that humans became God and shared in the divine nature. (cf. 2 Peter: 1.4) Matthew teaches that “this kind of grace means we carry the divine life within ourselves.” God became human in order that humans might learn compassion. Jesus taught us: “Be you compassionate as your Father in Heaven is
compassionate.” (Lk 6:36) |
“Dorothy Day and the Holy Family of the Streets.” Painting by iconographer Kelly Latimore.
Published with permission; to purchase, click HERE. |
December 27, 2023: Further Meditations on Grace, Christmas & Divinity Visiting Earth
The Creator God is not distant or impersonal, but eager to dwell among humans. We are curious about UFOs and
other forms of intelligent life visiting 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 Christmas story is still happening. As Père Chenu puts it, the incarnation is a “continuous incarnation” just as creation is a “continuous creation.” |
December 28, 2023: Evidence of Divinity Visiting the Earth: Humans at Work
In yesterday’s DM we asked the questions: Is there evidence that God truly visits the Earth? And, do you sense that
the essence, power and activity of humans have become divinized? We are aware of what is wrong on the planet, but when we look closer we also find examples of holiness. And wherever there is holiness, there is God at work. We can find this holiness wherever human beings care for one another, their loved ones, the Earth, or for any of our planet’s residents. Humans engaged in good work are humans engaged in the sharing of
grace. |
Short profile of Kenyan Nobel medalist Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, which has planted over 40 million trees and trained over 30,000 women in income-generating forest-restoring work. StridesinDevelopment |
December 29, 2023: Grace & the Reinvention of Work, continued
The beauty of the human spirit is showing up in Iran, where the owner of a fish market began dancing and singing a folk song outside his place of business—in direct violation of a
45-year-old Iranian law. So, why did he do it? He wanted to spread happiness. Two things resulted in his act of joyous rebellion: 1) His Instagram went viral and people all over the country began dancing and singing–in parks, gyms, malls, streets, and classrooms. 2) The government cracked down---arresting and beating the men who were singing and clapping with him, and shutting down his Instagram account. But the people rebelled and the “happiness campaign” was born. The government, miraculously,
backed down. Sadegh “Booghy” Bough now has 1.2 million followers. |
An Iranian fish seller who published videos of himself dancing has inspired daring imitators across the country. His Instagram now has 400,000 followers. RadioFree Europe/Radio Liberty |
December 30, 2023: Kurt Vonnegut to Teenagers: How to Grow the Soul via Art as Meditation
An English teacher asked her students to write to a famous author, asking for advice. Only one author
responded: Kurt Vonnegut. Matthew shares Vonnegut's beautiful letter in which he encourages the students to Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow. He continues: Seriously! I mean starting right now, do art and do it for the rest of your
lives. |
Banner image: “Both Divinity and Creativity come in many forms. “Kwegu Mother” in Ethiopia. Photo by Rod Waddington on Flickr.
|
|
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. |
Creativity: Where the Divine and Human Meet
Because creativity is the key to both our genius and beauty as a species but also to our capacity for evil, we need to teach creativity and to teach ways of steering this God-like power in
directions that promote love of life (biophilia) and not love of death (necrophilia). Pushing well beyond the bounds of conventional Christian doctrine, Fox’s focus on creativity attempts nothing less than to shape a new ethic.
“Matt Fox is a pilgrim who seeks a path into the church of tomorrow. Countless numbers will be happy to follow his lead.” –Bishop John Shelby Spong, author, Rescuing
the Bible from Fundamentalism, Living in Sin |
|
The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood For Our Time
Thomas Aquinas said, “To live well is to work well,” and in this bold call for the revitalization of daily work, Fox shares his vision of a world
where our personal and professional lives are celebrated in harmony–a world where the self is not sacrificed for a job but is sanctified by authentic “soul work.”
“Fox approaches the level of poetry in describing the reciprocity that must be present between one’s inner and outer work…[A]n important road map to social change.” ~~ National Catholic Reporter
|
|
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 has created a narrative, for every parent and grandparent, both spiritual and scientific, that is a gift for all elders who recognize their responsibility in initiating the young ones into the grandeur of existence." Cosmologist Brian Swimme, Author of Cosmogenesis and The Universe Story "Matthew Fox has given all of us, children included, a wondrous and enchanting view of creation and all that humanity should aspire to." - Caroline Myss, Author of Anatomy of the Spirit and A Time for Grace Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
|
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 |
|
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.
|
|
Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
|
|
|
