Giving Thanks to God for Everything!

“When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator.” ~St. Basil the Great

Dearest Spiritual Ohana,

Thanksgiving is a response of gratitude which is built-in, organic and natural for us as human beings to offer back to God, as He has given us total free will to do so.  It is instinctual for us, in our human nature,   to turn to God, Who formed us in His Image and Likeness, to give thanks to Him and glorify Him for everything.  He created everything!  He created us and gave us life, as He is Source of Life!

Through His Divine “Energies” we experience His Love and Care for all of creation.  We marvel how He made us the “crown of His Creation” as human beings.  We are astounded by the stars and the universe, the oceans, the mountains, the animals, the plants, etc., that He crafted with such beauty and perfection.  We glorify Jesus Christ, the Logos, for having so humbled Himself by taking on our human nature, in order to redeem us and save us.  There are countless dynamics to ponder in attempting to comprehend His Incarnation, alone!

As we approach and enter the Holiday Season, I would like to share with you a short excerpt taken from an “Akathist of Thanksgiving” to unlock some of the dynamics for the many things we have the opportunity to be thankful for.

KONTAKION 1

Priest: Everlasting King, Thy will for our salvation is full of power. Thy right arm doth control the whole course of human life. We give Thee thanks for all Thy mercies, seen and unseen; for eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Thy praise, both now and in the time to come: Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age!

Choir: Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age! OIKOS 1 Priest: I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Thine angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now Thy love hath illumined my path, and hath wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity; from birth until now the generous gifts of Thy providence hath been marvelously showered upon me. I give Thee thanks, with all who have come to know Thee, who call upon Thy Name:

Glory to Thee for calling me into being; glory to Thee, showing me the beauty of the universe. + Glory to Thee, spreading out before me heaven and earth, like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom. + Glory to Thee for Thine eternity in this fleeting world; glory to Thee for Thy mercies, seen and unseen. + Glory to Thee through every sigh of my sorrow; glory to Thee for every step of my life’s journey, for every moment of glory. + Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age! Choir: Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age!

KONTAKION 2

Priest: O Lord, how lovely it is to be Thy guest: breeze full of scents; mountains reaching to the skies; waters like boundless mirrors, reflecting the sun’s golden rays and the scudding clouds. All nature murmurs mysteriously, breathing the depth of tenderness. Birds and beasts of the forest bear the imprint of Thy love. Blessed art thou, mother earth, in thy fleeting loveliness, which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last forever, in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, the cry rings out: Alleluia! Choir: Alleluia! OIKOS 2 Priest: Thou hast brought me into life as into an enchanted paradise. We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, wherein the azure heights the birds are singing. We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and the melodious music of the streams. We have tasted fruit of fine flavor and the sweet-scented honey. We can live very well on Thine earth. It is a pleasure to be Thy guest: + Glory to Thee for the Feast Day of life; glory to Thee for the perfume of lilies and roses. + Glory to Thee for each different taste of berry and fruit; glory to Thee for the sparkling silver of early morning dew. + Glory to Thee for the joy of dawn’s awakening; glory to Thee for the new life each day brings. + Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age! Choir: Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age!

END NOTE Glory to God for All Things: An Akathist of Thanksgiving was written in Russia during the height of the Communistic persecution by Metropolitan Tryphon of Dmitrov (born Prince Boris Petrovich Turkestanov) not long before his death in 1934. The title comes from the last words of Saint John Chrysostom as he died in exile in 407. The akathist was found among the belongings of Archpriest Gregory Petroff, who died in a Soviet prison camp in 1940.

With Love in Christ,

+Fr. Alexander