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! |
The
Magnificat, Mary and Ourselves as Mystic-Prophets 01/31/2024 |
In addition to the “Hail Mary” that is built on the Annunciation scene in the gospels, one can also meditate on Mary’s own prayer which we call the “Magnificat” attributed to her in Luke 1.46-55. |
And Mary said:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
And my spirit exults in God my savior;
Because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from that day forward
all generations will call me blessed, |
“Et exultavit spiritus meus” Sharon Carty Mezzo-soprano, Christopher Ellis (Cello), and John O’Keeffe (Organ) perform the Aria from Magnificat BWV 577 by J.S.Bach. |
For the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
He has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel
his servant, mindful of his mercy
—according to the promise he made to our ancestors
—of his mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever. |
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| While Biblical scholars tell us this prayer is too formalized to have come from Mary herself*, it
nevertheless offers a profound window to how the earliest Christians looked at her and her role in history. Both as mother and prophet she truly stirred things up and spoke truth to power. |
She lifts up feminine wisdom and strength for sure, and calls up our own courage and strength, so important in this time of patriarchal excess and wannabe strongmen. It lays bare the heart of a healthy Christ follower and invites others to their mystic-prophetic vocation. Another’s death should be a time for grounding oneself all the more fully in one’s prophetic work and vocation. A recognition of the finality to life gives perspective to our work and limited time on earth. |
One asks why such texts as the Magnificat and the medieval Hail Mary are not more prominent in rituals of grief and remembrance in the church of our time. Prayers that call up the strength and wisdom of our ancestral |
“Magnificat” sung by the Elektra Women’s Choir, composed by Isabella Leonarda (1620 – 1704), with Alexander Weimann, guest conductor and organist |
mothers and healthy fathers are needed more than ever today. |
*The Jerusalem Bible notes how this canticle is reminiscent of Hannah’s in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 and incudes allusions to 1 Samuel 1:11; Ps 103:17 and Psalm 111:9; Job 5:11 and 12:19; Psalm 98:3; Psalm 107:9; Is 41:8f.
See Matthew Fox, The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood For Our Time.
And Fox, A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social
Justice.
And Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth.
Banner Image: “Embraced by Grace.” Stained glass window commemorating the Annunciation, in Swaffham’s Catholic church, Norfolk, England. Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P., on
Flickr. |
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Queries for Contemplation How does the Magnificat strengthen you and your respect for women and your efforts at being a healthy Christ-follower who is both mystic and
prophet? |
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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Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South American Liberation
Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator.
“A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and
Practice. |
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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 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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