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Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox 

09/20/2024

With the days ticking down to 11/5, learn the deeper stakes in this year's election. Get your copy of Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election today! Choose your format in the book block below. 

The book was born of an encounter this summer with the amazing fresco of “Sermon and Deeds of the Antichrist” by Luca Signorelli, completed in 1503. It is located in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Orvieto, Italy, a church whose construction began shortly after the death of Thomas Aquinas, who had taught and written poetry in Orvieto.

“Sermon and Deeds of the Antichrist.” Fresco by Luca Signorelli, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, Orvieto. Wikimedia Commons.

We have an all-important election staring us in the face. The two candidates debated ten days ago, and one was presidential in manner and proposed solutions to problems that beset us today. 

The other told (still another) really big lie. One that has resulted in a small town being beset by marching Ku Klux Klanners and the Proud Boys (yes, they’re back—not those currently in prison from their violence on January 6 but those still allowed on the streets).

South African satirical musician The Kiffness parodies the First Felon’s propaganda in music.

This largest big lie from the Liar in Chief, a former president, has set in motion once again the vile energy of racism and hate and is endangering an entire town. The town’s mayor—who is a Republican—told the First Felon to stay away. Its business leaders hailed the

influx of (legal) immigrants from Haiti because they are “excellent workers” and have rejuvenated the economics of the city.

The MAGA vice-presidential candidate recently confessed on CNN that the story that immigrants were eating peoples’ pets, which Trump repeated in the debate, was not true—but that he and the presidential candidate had the right to tell it anyway.  What?

Meanwhile, Springfield, Ohio is in turmoil.

Lies create turmoil. Lies feed racism and injustice. This is why Thomas Aquinas links truth together with justice when he says that “the proper objects of the heart are truth and justice." He also warns us that tyrants traffic in lies and “falsehood” (as well as excessive “litigation.”)

One needs to call evil evil. 

That is why I invoke the archetype

Progressive talk show host Thom Hartmann interviews Matthew Fox on Trump and the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ, HERE.

of the Antichrist at this time in American history. The Antichrist is an archetype for evil. It names those who teach people the opposite of what Christ taught: Hate, not love. Resentment, not forgiveness. Violence, not kindness. Projection, not self-examination; injustice, not justice.

As Carl Jung points out, archetypes return when we need them. We need a word that summarizes the danger and evil that Trump & MAGA represent.  

“Monster,” Kamala Harris‘ latest campaign ad, tells the story of a 12-year-old girl impregnated by her stepfather.

I surely include the current unsupreme court as MAGA and antichrist also, a court hell bent on 1) controlling women’s bodies and killing women, as happened again this past week because Amber Thurman could not receive the medical care she needed in an emergency, thanks

to their Roe v. Wade decision.* And 2) killing democracy by gutting voting rights laws and also creating a new species in America: A president who is immune from any evils he commits as president.

Hildegard of Bingen, saint and doctor of the church, expressed her rage at the antichrist figures of her day (Luther did the same in his day). 

She calls such people the “cursed ones of the cursed ones” and “caves of injustice whose works seek the pit of hell” who are ”absorbed in greed and gluttony in a hellish place that vomits forth stink.” They are “the worst of beasts.”

At the center of her painting about the antichrist is a huge pile of flying sh*t with a menacing face and 

Hildegard’s image of the Antichrist. Found in Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen by Matthew Fox.

fiery eyes that she says stinks up our space. Yes, Hildegard, doctor of the church, is naming the BS very literally that lies inflict upon the world and its institutions.

Would that the press of our day would have the courage to tell just some of the truth that Hildegard and other artists like Signorelli told in their day. 

There is still time before the election. Let us call antichrist what it is.

* Amy Littlefield, “An Abortion Ban Killed Amber Thurman—and Likely Many More,” The Nation, 9/18/2024.

See Matthew Fox, Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election

And Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, pp. 32-37, 122-126, plate 18.

And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times, pp. 97-120.

Statement of Solidarity with Israel/Palestine.

And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society.

And Fox, The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved.

Banner Image: A campaigner for U.S. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown (D., OH) protests for the Haitian community of Springfield, Ohio. Photo by Paul on Flickr.

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

What work are you doing to keep the White House free from being a house of lies and hatred toward migrants and so many others? Have you considered spreading the word of this book and entering into conversations with people about the term “antichrist” and how it applies to today?

Recommended Reading

Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election

Matthew Fox tells us that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity.
For immediate access to Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, order the e-book with 10 full-color prints from Amazon HERE. 
To get a print-on-demand paperback copy with black & white images, order from Amazon HERE or IUniverse HERE. 
To receive a limited-edition, full-color paperback copy, order from MatthewFox.org HERE.
Order the audiobook HERE for immediate download.

Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen

An introduction to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen, Illuminations reveals the life and teachings of one of the greatest female artists and intellectuals of the Western Mystical Tradition.  At the age of 42, she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations–24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them.
“If one person deserves credit for the great Hildegard renaissance in our time, it is Matthew Fox.”  – Dr Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of Sacred Voices.

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

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

The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved

The Pope’s War offers a provocative look at three decades of corruption in the Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic Christianity.
“This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope.
“In the gripping The Pope’s War, Matthew Fox takes an unwavering look at the layers of corruption in the Catholic Church, holding moral truth against power.”   — Jason Berry, author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE

MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton, and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT. 
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478  
Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478

Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org

Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, September 19, 4:00-5:30 pm PT. 
Register HERE.

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