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Aquinas on the Marriage of Imagination & Our Prophetic Vocation 03/27/2024 |
In recent daily meditations, we have been considering the immense role that the Via Creativa plays in Thomas Aquinas’s theology. Being an “image of God” is not about preening ourselves in front of the mirror after all–it is about giving birth. |
What do we choose to give birth to in these times of rupture and brokenness of humanity in “all our relations”? New visions are calling to us. Aquinas cites from the prophet Joel: I will pour out my spirit over all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy. We are all called to be both mystics (lovers) and prophets (warriors). |
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All this is the work of the Spirit, who, Aquinas reminds us, “is in the feminine gender” in Hebrew. “Mary conceived,’ that is, the Spirit made her to conceive. For that which ‘has been born in her is from the Holy Spirit.’” Furthermore, “the Holy Spirit is the spirit of prophecy” and, citing the prophet Jeremiah, “a prophet has been consecrated to overturn, root up, destroy, and again to build and
renew.” |
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963. RARE
FACTS | Aquinas was very aware of the relationship between the Via Creativa and the Via Transformativa, of art
as meditation and the prophetic vocation we all are called to. The supernatural reception proper to prophecy is to the vison of imagination. |
In his Commentary on the Psalms, Aquinas says that for the prophet, a way of speech is opened up that proceeds by way of metaphors and figures, which is the proper mode of prophets. Numbers 12 says: ‘If someone shall have been a prophet of the Lord among you, I will appear to them in a vision, and through dreams I will speak to them.’ Indeed, “the supernatural reception proper to prophecy is to the vison of imagination.” |
Prophets birth compassion. The prophet Jeremiah shows his compassion when he says, ‘I have pain in my belly,’ meaning that his feelings are afflicted; and ‘the sense of my heart,’ meaning his mind is perturbed. “I will not be silent,’—he will even lament outwardly, as Lamentations 2 |
Climate prophet Greta Thunberg furiously berates world leaders at the United Nations for not doing more to tackle climate change: “How dare you?” |
says: ‘my eyes are spent with weeping, my stomach has been disturbed.’ The Via Negativa leads to the Via Transformativa and the Via Creativa. Imagination plays an outsize role in the justice and healing we offer self and others. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp. 462, 465, 467. See pp. 446-475.
See also, Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times, pp. 109-136.
Banner Image: The Shekhinah, Holy Spirit, or “Cosmic Rose.” engraving pictured in the book Amphitheatrum sapientiae aeternae by Heinrich Khunrath, c. 1595. The triangle near the top contains a tetractys of the Tetragrammaton (Hebrew name of God). The five large
Hebrew letters near the red jagged outline form the Pentagrammaton (allegorical form of the Hebrew name of Jesus). Wikimedia Commons |
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Queries for Contemplation Do you recognize how “metaphors and figures” are “the proper modes of the prophets”? Give some
examples. Does that apply to your own prophetic vocation as well? |
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. |
Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation
Spirituality
Matthew Fox renders Thomas Aquinas accessible by interviewing him and thus descholasticizing him. He also translated many of his works such as Biblical commentaries never before in English (or Italian or German of French). He gives Aquinas a forum so that he can be heard in our own time. He presents Thomas Aquinas entirely in his own words, but in a form designed to
allow late 20th-century minds and hearts to hear him in a fresh way.
“The teaching of Aquinas comes through will a fullness and an insight that has never been present in English before and [with] a vital message for the world today.” ~ Fr. Bede Griffiths (Afterword).
Foreword by Rupert Sheldrake |
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The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and
action.
Foreword by Ilia Delio.
“What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.”
–Caroline Myss, author
of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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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
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Join Matthew Fox as he speaks on “The Deep Feminine and the Deep Masculine and their importance in elevating consciousness and healing our world” at the The Heart of Nature 7-Day Summit with Jane Fonda, Marianne Williamson, Paul Hawken, Nina Simons and over 30 leading experts,
Tuesday-Monday, April 16-22. 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.
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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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