Climate Change as Spiritual Crisis
An Invitation to a New Contemplative Practice
As a planet, we are in danger because the earth’s systems are failing. We need a spirituality which will motivate us to a more passionate concern for the protection of our world, an “ecological conversion.” – Pope Francis, Laudati Si, (216)
Matthew Fox’s creation spirituality is the spirituality of the future and his theology of the Cosmic Christ is the theology of the future… — Bede Griffiths, OSB
Many people are familiar with the devotional practice of praying the “Stations of the Cross.” Spiritual theologian Matthew Fox challenges believers and non-believers alike to develop a new practice based on very ancient teachings and the new cosmology: The Stations of the Cosmic Christ.
In this time of wars and unprecedented challenge to the planet from human-induced climate change, how will humans integrate the teachings about the awesome universe in a way that empowers our joy and compassion?
Artists M. C. Richards and Ullrrich Javier Lemus offer a Way and series of practices that moves the heart and awakens us to the Blessed Being who resides in us all and whether that eternal spark be called the “Cosmic Christ” or the “Buddha Nature” or the “Image of God.
Explore the Stations in greater depth by coming to a Retreat morning on January 13, 9:30-12:30
The church will be open for public viewing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12:00am; Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm (except Nov. 25, and Saturdays in December.) Sunday: Noon – 2 pm and at other times by appointment.
For more information: Matthew Fox talks about the Stations
Matthew Fox visited St.Benedict’s over the first weekend in December. You can hear his Sunday sermon here. When he was here, Matthew invited us to join the Order of the Sacred Earth by taking the simple vow “I promise to be the best lover and defender of the Earth that I can be.” This order welcomes all. We seek to be both mystics (lovers) and prophets (defenders) to support all peoples and all of creation and bring light during these dark times.
On the Winter Solstice, December 21, about 20 people from St. Benedict’s and the surrounding area met to discuss how to love and defend the sacred Earth. A core group decided to continue meeting with a focus on reading and taking action from Matthew Fox’s new book, “Order of the Sacred Earth.” Everyone is welcome to join the discussion. Check back for more details
Matthew Fox is an internationally acclaimed spiritual theologian, Episcopal priest, and activist who was a member of the Dominican Order for 34 years. He holds a doctorate in the History and Theology of Spirituality from the Institut Catholique de Paris and has devoted 45 years to developing and teaching the tradition of Creation Spirituality, which is rooted in ancient Judeo-Christian teaching, inclusive of today’s science and world spiritual traditions; welcoming of the arts and artists; wisdom centered, prophetic, and committed to eco-justice, social justice and gender justice.
Fox has reinvented forms of education and worship and awakened millions to the much neglected earth-based mystical tradition of the West, revivifying awareness of Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, Thomas Aquinas, and Thomas Merton, among other premodern and post-modern spiritual pioneers. He has authored more than 35 books on spirituality and contemporary culture, among them: Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, The Reinvention of Work, A Spirituality Named Compassion and Meister Eckhart: A Mystic-Warrior for Our Times. His books, celebrated around the world, have been translated into 60 languages.