The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling
All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
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Aquinas on Oligarchy, Democracy & American Politics Today 3/04/2025 |
As the results of the election ripple out, learn the deeper stakes involved. 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. |
In light of the Friday ambush staged by the current occupant of the White House and his henchman against Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, I invite you to meditate on Aquinas’ wisdom set forth up front on page ix of my recent book on Christ and antichrist. It strikes me as amazingly prescient. Aquinas’ words are in italics; I underline a few of his words and offer mine in brackets.
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The disregard of the common good is greater under an oligarchy than under a democracy. But worst of all is a tyranny where the advantage of one man is sought. The rule of a tyrant is worst. |
“Zelenskyy enacts true diplomacy as the GOP scrambles.” MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin discusses the fallout of the Friday attack with Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson and Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross. |
Security is banished and everything is uncertain when people are cut off from law and depend on the will, I would even say the greed, of another. The tyrant oppresses the bodies of his subjects, but what is more damnable, he threatens their spiritual growth, for he is
set on his own power, not their progress. He is suspicious of any dignity that they may possess that will prejudice his own iniquitous domination. A tyrant is more fearful of a good person [Zelenskyy?] than of a bad person [Putin?], for he dreads their strange virtue. |
“Europe Breaks Away from U.S After Trump-Zelensky Clash”: Understanding the need to contain Putin’s expansionist agenda, EU leaders unite behind Ukraine. Oneindia News | Fearful lest they
grow strong and so stout of heart as no longer to brook his wicked despotism but resolve in companionship to enjoy the fruits of peace, a tyrant is constrained to destroy good people’s confidence in one another, lest they gather together to throw off his yoke. |
Therefore, he sows discord among them, and encourages dissensions and litigation. [Trump is now suing and threatening to sue news outlets he disagrees with.] Regarding the role of Greed and Avarice, which is such a hallmark of the new regime and its leaders, Aquinas makes the
following pertinent observations: Avarice gives rise to insensibility to compassion, because one’s heart is not softened by compassion to assist the needy with one’s riches. [Cf the disassembly of USAID for example and the current Congress’s attacks on SNAP and Medicaid and Musk’s attacks on Social Security
which he calls a “ponzi scam.”] |
It also gives rise to restlessness by hindering one with excessive anxiety and care, for ‘an avaricious man shall not be satisfied with money’ (Ecclesiastes 5:9). The avaricious in acquiring other people’s good sometimes employ force, which pertains to violence. Sometimes deceit. |
During the 2013-2015 ebola outbreak in West Africa, USAID supported nearly 200 community teams trained in burial and disinfection, helping end the epidemic. As USAID closes, ebola is now surging in Uganda. Photo by Neil Brandvold, USAID |
And then if they have recourse to words, it is falsehood if it be mere words. Perjury if they confirm their statement by oath. [For example, taking an oath to uphold the laws of the Constitution but doing the opposite.] If they have recourse to deeds and the deceit affects things, we have fraud. There is ample insight and wisdom here to meditate long and hard on what is going on in our government today. Republican Congress people and senators who are not standing
up for democracy home or abroad fit this bill. And those who watched the Vance/Trump attack on President Zelenskyy with apparent satisfaction. |
Matthew Fox, Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ, p. ix.
And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society, pp. 301, 306.
And Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp.
493ff.
And Fox, A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice.
And Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth.
See Fox, “Character and Chakra Development,”
in Fox, The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human, pp. 138-145. | For a list of organizations helping those affected by the devastating LA wildfires, please see this article from the LA Times HERE. |
Banner Image: The deep roots of oligarchy in U.S. government: “The Bosses of the Senate." Cartoon by Joseph Keppler, published in Puck on 1/23/1889, reproduced on the U.S. Senate website. Corporate interests are shown as giant money bags looming over tiny senators. The “people’s entrance” is barred. Galleries stand empty while special interests operate below the motto: “This is the Senate of the Monopolists, by the Monopolists and for the Monopolists!” Wikimedia Commons |
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 |
Why do you think Aquinas talks about the “strange virtue” of good people that frightens tyrants and their enablers? I purposely present Aquinas’s teachings here in a poem-like structure because each sentence strikes me as deserving of meditation, contemplation and response to the dangers of our time. Which lines do you think are most critical to our consciousness and action today? |
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. |
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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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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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A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
In A Spirituality Named Compassion, Matthew
Fox delivers a profound exploration of the meaning and practice of compassion. Establishing a spirituality for the future that promises personal, social, and global healing, Fox marries mysticism with social justice, leading the way toward a gentler and more ecological spirituality and an acceptance of our interdependence which is the substratum of all compassionate activity.
“Well worth our
deepest consideration…Puts compassion into its proper focus after centuries of neglect.” –The Catholic Register |
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The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human
The A.W.E. Project reminds us that awe is the appropriate response to the unfathomable wonder that is creation… A.W.E.
is also the acronym for Fox’s proposed style of learning – an approach to balance the three R’s. This approach to learning, eldering, and mentoring is intelligent enough to honor the teachings of the Ancestors, to nurture Wisdom in addition to imparting knowledge, and to Educate through Fox’s 10 C’s. The 10 C’s are the core of the A.W.E. philosophy and process of education, and include: compassion, contemplation, and creativity. The A.W.E. Project does for the vast subject of “learning”
what Fox’s Reinvention of Work did for vocation and Original Blessing did for theology. Included in the book is a dvd of the 10 C’s put to 10 video raps created and performed by Professor Pitt.
“An awe-based vision of educational renewal.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice. |
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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.
“I am reading Liberating Gifts for the People of the Earth by Matt Fox. He is one that fills my heart and mind for new life in spite of so much that is violent in our world.” ~ Sister Dorothy Stang. |
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The Return of Father Sky: A Cosmic Mystery for Kids of All Ages
The second book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series, The Return of Father Sky helps boys and girls to celebrate a new
relationship with the masculine by way of Father Sky, whose return excites joy and wonder and possibility that enlarge the soul to welcome others and all creation. Written in a rhyming Dr. Seuss-like style, this full-color, beautifully illustrated book, written by world- renowned theologian Matthew Fox weaves together modern science and classic spirituality in a whimsical, entertaining format to illustrate important truths to readers aged 4 and up. 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. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
As we enter this Lenten season—a time of reflection, reckoning, and renewal—we find ourselves at a crossroads unlike any other in recent history. Join Matthew Fox and fellow thought-leaders and activists Andrew Harvey, Mirabai Starr, Yvette Flunder, Adam Bucko, and Cameron Trimble in
From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA, a 4-part series of transformational conversations, exploring the deep spiritual roots of this political moment and uncovering pathways toward collective action, resilience, and renewal. Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 4-5:30 pm PT. Enroll HERE. |
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Join Matthew Fox as he offers a guest lecture in the Creation Spirituality Communities course “Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: An Exploration of Evil” led by instructor Carolyn Million. Wednesdays, March 12– April 16, 4-6 pm PT. Register HERE. The Mysticism of Christ: Experiencing the Sacred Teachings of Jesus for Spiritual Awakening, a free video event with Matthew Fox, Saturday March 15 at 10am PT. Register for free HERE. Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the People of the Earth, in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, March 20, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE. MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox 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 |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew was recently interviewed by Sandie Sedgbeer on her program “What is Going OM,” about his book, “Trump and the MAGA Movement as AntiChrist.” Watch or listen HERE. |
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on BlueSky, Instagram, Universeodon, or Facebook using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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