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Aquinas on Truth, Justice, and Compassion—Issues in Today’s Presidential Run? 06/18/2024 |
In
yesterday’s Father’s Day DM, both essay and video, we celebrated Thomas Aquinas as a spiritual father to me, and to so many other people. |
In the video I recalled what a powerful spiritual father he was to Dante, Mechtild (a Beguine and member of the women’s movement of the Middle Ages), Meister Eckhart—and all the people he has influenced—and to Julian of Norwich, Nicolas of Cusa, Fr. Bede Griffiths, etc. Let us hear Aquinas more on the role of Truth, Justice and Compassion. In his Commentary on the Psalms he cites the psalmist: ‘The Lord loves compassion and justice.’ For God loves them in |
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themselves, since these things are in the work. As Psalm 25 puts it, ‘all the ways of the Lord [are] compassion and truth.’ Likewise, God loves them in each person, as Micah puts it (6): ‘I will show you, O people, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you.
Especially to do justice, to cherish compassion, and to walk humbly with your God.’ And so the psalmist says, ‘exult,’ for truly God ‘loves compassion’…. In his Commentary on Matthew’s Gospel, Aquinas cautions us not to sentimentalize compassion when he teaches: |
Christine Caine talks passionately on the relationship the Church ought to have with compassion and justice. Global
Leadership Network | Justice without compassion is cruel, and compassion without justice is the mother of
weakness. And therefore it is necessary that they be joined together according to Proverbs 3:3: ’Compassion and truth will not forsake you, and Psalm 85:10 says: ‘Compassion and truth have met,’ etc. |
We
see here an influence on Eckhart who, in his treatise on Luke 6:36: “Be you compassionate as your Father in heaven is compassionate,” says “compassion means justice” and invokes the psalm that “compassion is where peace and justice kiss.” How significant are Truth, Justice and Compassion in this year’s presidential
campaigns? The Washington Post counted 36,000 lies one of the presidential candidates told when he was last president. |
The bottom line is that, according to Aquinas, there can be no truth or justice or compassion without all three operating together. As a Trinity. We find these two things, compassion and justice, in all the
works of God... Compassion comes first, and after it follows |
Dr. Andrew Moore of St. Thomas University comments on Hannah Arendt's Truth and Politics, on why facts are fragile and why we need to stand up for a factual account of reality. Great Books Prof |
justice. Therefore the psalmist says, ‘all the ways of the Lord [are] compassion and truth. And Tobias says, ‘all your ways [are] compassion and truth.’ And Psalm 145 says: ‘God’s compassion over all the divine works.’ |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp. 391f.
See also Fox, “The proper objects of the heart are truth and justice,” in Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times, pp. 101-108.
And
Fox, Passion For Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart, pp. 417-439. Banner Image: “Lady Justice” by visual artist Kim Vanderheiden, removing the traditional blindfold and sword to offer a more compassionate icon. Learn more HERE. |
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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. |
Queries for Contemplation |
Do you recognize—or hope—that truth, justice and compassion are integral to this year’s presidential race? How can you help to make that so? |
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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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 |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
Join Matthew Fox in a new, live, 7-week video course hosted by the Shift Network, Cultivating Compassion in Spirituality: What Meister Eckhart & Other World Mystics Can Teach Us About Navigating Collective Turmoil. Tuesdays, May 7 – June 25, 5:00pm - 6:30pm PT. Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox and 11 other speakers for a 6-week course on Cosmic Water: The Radical Roots of Mystical Christianity hosted by Advaya.Life (Matthew speaks on June 18). Tuesdays, May 28 - Thursday, July 4, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT Register HERE (for 10% discount use code
FOX-WOW) |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "Preserving Things in the Good" at the Unity of Walnut Creek Earth Day worship service held on April 21, 2024. |
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