The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox Be sure not to miss Matthew Fox's weekly video reflection every Monday! |
Grey
& Hildegard: Angel Wings, Human Works, “Singing Justice” 01/09/2024 |
Yesterday’s meditation on Alex Grey’s painting on Greening Power ended with Hildegard’s telling us how armies of angels are busy singing “every kind of music.” Why are they singing? With amazing voices they were glorifying God magnificently for those miracles which God performs in blessed
souls. |
God brings about wonders in human souls and human works. The work of humans makes miracles or wonders, bestowing gifts and graces on one another and the Earth. Thus, all beings are “rejoicing in the joy of salvation” while bringing forth the greatest joys in indescribable music |
“All Beings Celebrate Creation,” from Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias. |
through
the works of those wonders of heavenly things that God bring about in his saints. Humans bringing about wonderful works set joy and music in motion. A requisite for joining this dance is that we must “hurl away injustice” and choose a path of compassion and justice. The wings of the angels appear to be very much like human hands. Faces are smiling within the wings while we “royal persons” are called to “sing justice” back into creation and thus bring about a “new creation.” |
“Emptying: The True Spirit of Poverty,” Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias. | In her painting called “Emptying: The True Spirit of Poverty,” Hildegard also presents many eyes. One figure full of eyes is without a face and represents the fear of the Lord–viewing the Kingdom of God with
humility in the presence of God. Cirlot informs us that an image of heterotopic eyes (eyes on different parts of the body) is the spiritual equivalent of sight, that is, of clairvoyance. Maybe we might say insight. Or perspective, gaining a new perspective. This is what today’s
cosmology, with the help of the Webb Telescope, is gifting to us today. A New Creation is possible. Hildegard says that Christ is “the one who gives eyes” to people. Open eyes depict a good conscience, she says. |
Christ brings eyes of faith, understanding, and knowledge of God. Opened eyes are part of waking up—Paul lost scales from his eyes during his conversion and was blinded for a while. To see the face of God, the glory of God, the Kingdom of God, is waking up spiritually. Cirlot points out that numerous
eyes signify “the night with its myriad stars” but also—and paradoxically—”the possessor of so many eyes is left in darkness.” How parallel are Hildegard’s and Alex Grey’s paintings! East meeting West. Buddhism meeting Christianity. Twelfth century meeting the
21st century. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, pp. 107-116.
See also Fox, The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood For Our Time
Banner Image: The Pillars of Creation are set off in a kaleidoscope of color in NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s
near-infrared-light view. This is a region where young stars are forming – or have barely burst from their dusty cocoons as they continue to form. Photo Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph
DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI). |
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Queries for Contemplation What does it mean to you that Christ is “the one who gives eyes” to people according to Hildegard? How does Alex Grey’s painting on
Greening Power bring your eyes alive with a new perspective and insight?
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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. |
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen
An introduction to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen, Illuminations reveals the life and teachings of one of the greatest female artists and intellectuals of the Western Mystical
Tradition. At the age of 42, she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations–24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them.
“If one person deserves credit for the great Hildegard renaissance in our time, it is Matthew Fox.” – Dr Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of Sacred Voices. |
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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 |
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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. "This delicious book for children of all ages celebrates joy as the essential truth of reality." - Andrew Harvey, Author of The Hope and Radical Regeneration
"I absolutely LOVED reading this beautiful, creative, stirring story—a charming, whimsical, powerful, parable." - Robert Holden, Author of Happiness NOW! and Higher Purpose
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 and Alessandra Belloni for an online Lecture, Concert, and Q&A on “Gifts of the Black Madonna for the New Year,” Thursday, January 11, 4:00-5:30 pm PT. Register 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 |
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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