The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox Watch for Matthew Fox's video meditation -- now appearing every Monday! |
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Rabbis
Speaking Out on the Evil in Gaza
& One Man’s Sacrifice 03/07/2024 |
Two rabbis have spoken to me recently about the tragedy going on in Gaza—one in person and the other in his newsletter.
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One said, “it is simply evil what President Biden is doing supporting Netanyahu in his genocide in Gaza.” The second rabbi wrote a powerful and thoughtful piece about the sacrifice offered by Aaron Bushnell, an airman in the U.S. Air Force who lit himself on fire
in |
Senator Bernie Sanders echoes the protest votes being cast against President Biden, saying that unfettered US military aid to
Israel must stop. |
front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC while shouting “Free Palestine” repeatedly before he fell unconscious.
About the sacrifice of Aaron Bushnell, I am reminded of the Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people who chose a similar way to protest the Vietnam War. A woman named Nhat Chi Mai preceded her act of self-immolation with a
40-day retreat followed by a party with many of her friends. She left this poem behind:
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“Examining the History of Self-Immolation In Protest and Politics.” The Indian Express offers a brief history of self-immolation as an international tool of protest. | I wish to use my body as a torch
to dispel the darkness
to awaken love among brothers
and bring peace to Vietnam.* Such a powerful sacrifice she and Aaron and many others have made. |
Bushnell posted this note on his Facebook page before his final act: Many of us like to ask ourselves, ‘What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?’ The answer is, you’re doing it. Right
now.’ |
Rabbi Arthur Waskow comments honestly and carefully about the sacrifice of Aaron when he says: What I learn from Aaron is not to do the act he did but to act in the spirit of his action: I will increase and strengthen my own work to end this |
Hundreds of protestors held vigil in Aaron Bushnell’s memory outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. after his death. WUSA9. |
bloodshed of utter destruction in which my own nation has become a major part.** Is acting in the spirit of Bushnell’s actions acting generously and courageously for peace? Are we too committing ourselves to increasing and strengthening our own work to put an end to the
bloodshed that our nation is involved in? To be continued. |
*I am grateful to Kristal Parks for sharing this poem with me.
** Rabbi Arthur Waskow, “Self-Immolator Protests Gaza Bloodshed,” The Shalom Center
See Matthew Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society.
Banner Image: "Gathering Before Candlelight Vigil to Honor U. S. Airman Aaron Bushnell’s Self Sacrifice for Peace at the Israeli Embassy at 3514 International
Drive, NW, Washington DC on Monday evening, 26 February 2024." Photo by Elvert Barnes Photography on Flickr. |
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Queries for Contemplation How are you “acting in the spirit of Aaron Bushnell’s actions”? |
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. |
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil
that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly
masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
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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 |
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, Mariko Middleton and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors, Tuesday, March 26, 4:00-5:00pm PT. Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
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. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Natural Grace: Dialogues on Creation, Darkness and the Soul in Spirituality and Science in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, May 16, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Ilia Delio and
theologian Matthew Fox pick up on their conversation about the viability of contemporary religious institutions in an evolutionary world. They discuss death and resurrection—the enduring challenge of modern approaches to the subject and what we can learn from mystics, past generations and ancient peoples alike.
To listen, click HERE. |
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