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Resurrection Appearance Stories Yesterday & Today 04/02/2024 |
Recently, a rabbi friend who is dying invited me to visit him. He is a person I admire deeply who has contributed very much to the world as rabbi, theologian, and activist. |
We discussed many things, including battles we engaged in side by side over the years, and more. I let him lead the conversation and at one point he raised the question of “Resurrection.” I responded by reminding him that no doubt he knew better than I how Resurrection is a
Jewish idea that was in hot debate in the first century. And debate plays so big a role in the Jewish tradition (I see it as a kind of spiritual practice that Judaism has cultivated over the |
Image of the Resurrection by indigenous artist, Ullrich Javier Lemus, which can by found in Matthew Fox’s book, Stations of the Cosmic Christ. |
years). Jesus and then his followers came down hard on the side of Resurrection. I told him of Aquinas’s teachings on the “first” and “second” Resurrection and how to me the heart of the Resurrection story is the appearances that occurred—certainly to Paul who writes more about the
Resurrection than anyone. Christ is said to have appeared to all the disciples and also to 500 others. Paul interviewed the disciples and no doubt many of these 500. (He strikes me as the kind of person who would interview any and every person he could about important stories or rumors. He probably would have made a good lawyer in our
day.) |
“Christ as a Gardener with Mary Magdalene.” Painting by Wenceslas Cobergher, turn of the 16th/17th century. Wikimedia Commons. | I shared with my rabbi friend the story of a friend who
is neither Jewish, Christian, or a practitioner of any religion. He is Chinese American, and a few months after his mother died, she appeared to him and stood at the end of his bed. They had a conversation and she said, among other things, “Remember the values I have taught you.” My friend is a self-employed and self-taught
blue-collar worker who designs and |
builds
houses. Tears come to his eyes every time he tells this story. Such stories are much more frequent that we realize. Often when lecturing I share this story, then ask people to shut their eyes and raise their hands if they have had similar experiences with a loved one who died. Usually about 80-85% raise their
hands. I then ask how many have friends they trust who have shared a similar story, and about 75% raise their hands. |
See “Resurrection” in Matthew Fox and Bishop Marc Andrus, Stations of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 128-132.
And Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp. 359-364.
And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas, pp.
167-172.
And Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 144-151.
Banner Image: “Landscape with Christ and his Disciples on the Road to Emmaus” Painting by Jan Wildens, 1640s, on Wikimedia Commons. |
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Queries for Contemplation Do you have a story that parallels the one I share in this meditation about Resurrection appearances? Do you see a parallel with Paul’s
resurrection experience and other stories in his writings or in the gospels? |
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. |
Stations of the Cosmic Christ
By Matthew Fox and Bishop Marc Andrus.
This is a book of meditations on the Cosmic Christ, accompanying the images of 16
wonderful clay tablets by Javier Ullrrich Lemus and M.C. Richards. Together, these images and meditations go far beyond the traditional Stations of the Cross to inspire a spirit awakening and understanding of the cosmic Christ Consciousness, Buddha consciousness, and consciousness of the image of God in all beings, so needed in our times.
“A divinely inspired book that must be read by every human being devoted to
spiritual and global survival. It is cosmically brilliant.”
— Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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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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The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
In what may be considered the most comprehensive outline of the Christian
paradigm shift of our Age, Matthew Fox eloquently foreshadows the manner in which the spirit of Christ resurrects in terms of the return to an earth-based mysticism, the expression of creativity, mystical sexuality, the respect due the young, the rebirth of effective forms of worship—all of these mirroring the ongoing blessings of Mother Earth and the recovery of Eros, the feminine aspect of the Divine.
“The eighth
wonder of the world…convincing proof that our Western religious tradition does indeed have the depth of imagination to reinvent its faith.” — Brian Swimme, author of The Universe Story and Journey of the Universe.
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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 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.
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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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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