At Thanksgiving, we pause to offer praise and gratitude for all that sustains us. Drawing upon the spirit of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address and St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, the following reflection finds inspiration in their shared message of oneness and our connection to all beings. In this season, may honoring the family of creation and blessing the Giver of all gifts deepen our awareness and gratitude for the world around us.
Where Gratitude Begins and Ends
Praised be You, Giver of Life,
with all Your creatures.
We give thanks for Brother Sun,
radiant on autumn’s leaves,
blessing us with warmth and day.
We give thanks for Sister Moon and the stars,
quiet keepers of our dreams,
precious in the night sky.
We give thanks for Brother Wind,
gentle and fierce,
bringing breath and renewal,
cloud and season,
sustaining all life.
We give thanks for Sister Water,
clear and precious,
flowing gently over stone,
humble in every cup,
every rain, every tide.
We give thanks for Brother Fire,
playful and strong,
granting light, heat, and comfort
for our deepest, longest nights.
We give thanks for Sister Mother Earth,
our bountiful and beautiful home;
For her plants, our sustaining kin,
corn, beans, squash, and every green thing.
rising from the earth with generosity,
feeding body and spirit,
restoring the land.
For her trees, ancient guardians of the earth,
providing shelter, shade, and sustenance,
standing as living symbols
of strength, peace, and endurance,
roots woven deep beneath the soil,
grounding us in the quiet constancy
of nature’s embrace.
For animals, our companions on this earth,
gracing us with their presence
in forests, fields, and homes,
giving of themselves so that we may live,
reminding us of our sacred connection
in the great web of life.
Praised be You, O Love,
whose spirit moves in every living thing.
Let gratitude be our song;
for forgiveness offered,
for suffering borne,
for peace, spacious and true,
Praise and gratitude to You, creator of all,
From a place of goodness and Love
For being one with us,
in the depths of our souls,
and in the silence,
where gratitude begins and ends.
Let our hearts and minds be one.
Peace,
Joseph Krans, Executive Director
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center
