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Creativity as Bestowing Divine Gifts & Bliss on One Another 02/22/2024 |
We are finding in Eckhart’s sermon on “the Holy Spirit as a ‘rushing river’” insight on what makes a Sister Dorothy Stang or an Alexei Navalny joyful and generous and brave. |
Becoming empty of ego and fear and agendas– “living without a why” as Eckhart puts it on many occasions–allows Spirit to enter and work in us and through us. He says as much at the beginning of this sermon when he cites the psalmist: |
Even in his final letters from prison, Alexei Navalny communicated hope, says Anton Troianovski, Moscow Bureau Chief for the New York Times. MSNBC. |
“The rapid
or quick-flowing river has caused the city of God to rejoice” (Ps. 46:4); and then tells us what is coming in his sermon. We should pay attention to three things in connection with these words. First, the ‘rapid river’ of God; next, the city to which it flows; third, the advantage that comes from
this. |
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| Have you ever thought of God as a “rapid river that
flows?” What I receive from this language is an image of being on a raft on a rapid river without oars, just being taken along for the ride. I love this image of creativity–a moment |
when we are not in charge and are being carried along by a force and power bigger than us– the journey can be tumultuous and unexpected but it is a ride to remember. A joyous ride when we are not in charge. One doesn’t look at one’s watch, it is too much fun to ask “what time is it?” Too much is happening. It is too joyous. No wonder that, when speaking of “the advantage that comes from this,” Eckhart talks in depth in this sermon about our creativity: |
God is emanative with his goodness upon everything that in any way can accept him. Thus human beings should be communicative and emanative with all the gifts they have received from God. Saint Paul says: ‘What is there that we have not received from him?' (cf. 1 Cor 4:7) |
Siberian shaman SNOW RAVEN performs an honoring of the creatures and music of her homeland for Amazon Prophecy Project, supporting the indigenous people of the Amazon. |
People
who do not bestow on others spiritual things and whatever bliss is in them have never been spiritual. People are not to receive and keep them for themselves alone, but they should share themselves and pour forth everything they possess in their bodies and souls as far as possible, and whatever others desire of them. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, “Sermon 26: The Holy Spirit, Like a Rapid River, Divinizes Us,” in Fox, Passion For Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart, pp. 363-367.
See also Fox, Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet.
Banner Image: Rafting the
White Salmon River. Photo by Justin Kent on Flickr. |
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Queries for Contemplation Do you agree with Eckhart that if we do not share “whatever bliss is in us” we have “never been spiritual?” And that
creativity constitutes are sharing through which we “pour forth everything we possess in body and soul as far as possible”? |
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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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
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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 |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, March 21, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, April 18, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying" at the 2024 Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies. To listen, click the video thumbnail at right. |
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