The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Today's the day: Matthew Fox's
video reflection is below the essay! |
Why
Human Work Counters Despair & Is a Path to Holiness 03/11/2024 |
We ended a recent DM citing lawyer Kenneth Matheny, who, though very critical of his profession and SCOTUS at this time, assures us that “all is not lost.”
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Even though much is going backwards, right before our eyes—“all is not lost.” A long list that includes the gutting of civil rights laws bought at such a precious price sixty years ago; the arrogant tossing out of Roe v. Wade after fifty years (with citations in the document citing a 17th century witch-burning jurist—how could five SCOTUS judges sign |
Congresswoman Marcia Fudge of Ohio speaks at the 50th Anniversary (2013) of MLK Jr.’s March on Washington (1963). Photo by Marcia Fudge. Wikimedia Commons. |
off
on such nonsense and retain any semblance of self-respect?); and Citizens United, which threw our politics into the pit of dark money and unleashed capitalism; and so much more—still, this regression does not have the last word. Why is it that “all is not lost” at this time in history? I think the key lies with
humans who are willing to work from their hearts and their values, and to stay and fight, even if that means going the full distance that Alexei Nevalny or MLK Jr. or Sister Dorothy Stang or Jesus went—“greater love no person has, than to lay down their life for their friends.” |
Rising to the occasion! People rush to help a motorcyclist trapped under a car in Myrtle Beach, NC. Video by Inside
Edition. | Good
work, well-performed, is a school for perseverance, courage, generosity, and growing one’s minds and hearts—for holiness therefore. So much of work tests our souls and grows them. It is in the workplace that we so often express our deepest selves, our truest loves. |
It is in work that our holiness is so often forged. It is where we grow the most and from the deepest places. Thomas Aquinas tells us: |
As long as the miraculous effects of Christ lie hidden in anyone’s heart, Christ is not honored by it, except in that heart, but not in regard to others, until it breaks out into external visible actions. The Bhagavad Gita tells us: Who in all one’s work sees God,
that one in truth goes unto God:
God is that
person’s worship,
God is that one’s offering,
Offered by God in the fire of God. |
Bhagavad Gita’s revelation: Krishna tells the Gita to Arjuna. Image by Rikudhar. Wikimedia Commons. |
Hildegard of Bingen tells us that angels themselves honor humanity’s work. Humans are “the full work of God,” and in “praise and in deeds all of God’s works are brought to completion through humans.” To be continued.
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Adapted from Matthew Fox, The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood for Our Times, pp. 296f. And Fox and Rupert Sheldrake, The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science and Spirit Meet, p. 140. Banner image: Work Well Done: Two megaliths newly
raised alongside a Trilithon, at a new sacred site in Flintstone, Maryland, September 2021. Sixty-five worshippers participated in the project. Photo by LettieLepidoptera. Wikimedia Commons. |
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image. You will be taken to today's post on the Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox website, where you can see the meditation in a larger version and also view and post your Comments. In the sharing that follows, a kind of community is developing around the DM.
If you can't reach today's post on the website directly, click HERE.
If you can't reach Matthew's video on the website, try his Vimeo channel HERE.
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Queries for Contemplation Do you in all your work “see God”? Do you recognize the “miraculous work of Christ in your heart” break out in your
work? |
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. |
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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The Physics of
Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science & Spirit Meet
By Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake When was the last time a scientist and a theologian discussed angels together? What are angels? Many people believe in angels, but few can define these enigmatic spirits. Now visionary
theologian Matthew Fox and acclaimed biologist Rupert Sheldrake—pioneers in modern religious thinking and scientific theory—launch a groundbreaking exploration into the ancient concept of the angel and restore dignity, meaning, and joy to our time-honored belief in these heavenly beings. |
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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 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. |
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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 |
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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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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