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! |
A
Revised Hail Mary Prayer For Our Post-Modern Times 01/29/2024 |
We are meditating on the original, 12th century, version of the “Hail Mary” prayer of the Middle Ages, which goes like this: |
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, untroubled maiden. You are blessed among women, you who brought forth peace to people and glory to the angels. Blessed too is the fruit of your womb, who by grace made it possible for us to be his heirs. Notice the important words here: grace, glory, peace, [being] heirs of Christ, angels. It is a poem of empowerment. Angels, like the word "glory," suggest the Cosmic Christ. And angels traditionally |
A Philippine conception of Mary as Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, located in the Santa Cruz Church in Noveleta. Photo by IFI Noveleta. Wikimedia Commons. |
usher the soul after
death to the next level of existence. The message that humans bring “glory to the angels” and are “heirs” to Christ, along with the emphasis on "grace" and "peace,” stand out as integral to the creation spirituality tradition. In one of his sermons, Meister Eckhart challenges us to be “full of grace” like Mary was. |
“O viridissima virgo,” one of Hildegard von Bingen’s beautiful hymns to Mary, performed by Sarah Anne Champion. Video by The Marian Consort. | Notice too what words are absent: “death, fear, sinners” and the guilt and shame that accompanies them. The 16th century version that talks of sinners and fear of death is deeply fall/redemption. Patriarchy and pessimism ruled over
culture and religion in the |
West, as French historian Jean Delumeau demonstrates in his powerful study, Sin and Fear: The Emergence of a Western Guilt Culture 13th-18th Centuries. A "new fear” was birthed, he says— “the fear of one’s self” which advanced the “dread of God” over the “fear of God....The accusation of man and the world reached its climax in Western civilization” in the sixteenth century, he
maintains. |
I propose updating the prayer for our post-modern times by adding to the original Hail Mary of the Middle Ages the following ending: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us heirs and co-workers of God at the hour of our creativity. Amen. Such invoking of creativity is essential, if our species and the planet as we know it is to survive. |
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A prayer to the Divine Feminine ought not conclude in a tone of patriarchal self-pity, powerlessness and fear. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society, pp. 163-173. And Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 99-104, 107. And Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake, The Physics of Angels. pp. 177f. And Fox, Passion For Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart, pp. 93f., 101. Banner image: “The Annunciation” (1914) by John William Waterhouse. Public domain from WikiArt.org. |
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Queries for Contemplation How does this new ending to an old prayer strike you as useful for our times? Do you sense a “dread of God” and “fear of self” lurking
behind too much Western religion? |
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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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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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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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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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 |
SPECIAL EVENT: 5-DAY WORKSHOP IN AQUINAS’ HOMETOWN OF ORVIETO, ITALY
WITH MATTHEW FOX, MESHI CHAVEZ, AND CLAUDIA PICARDI
JUNE 9-14, 2024
LEARN MORE HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT. Register HERE. |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox’s episode on the Take Back Your Mind with Michael B. Beckwith Podcast, Mysticism & The Modern Age, is available on the Take Back Your Mind YouTube channel. To listen, play 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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