Family Giving Thanks to the Ocean
McKay Savage, 2008
My dear friends,
On this Thanksgiving Day, we are called to pause in gratitude, reflecting on the abundance that sustains us and the interconnected web of kindness and compassion that has brought us here. In the spirit of both Christian and Bodhisattva teachings, we gather to recognize the love and blessings woven into our lives. True gratitude goes beyond words, becoming a heartfelt acknowledgment of the gift of life itself and a commitment to serve others in response to this blessing.
do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"
- Matthew 6:25
This passage speaks to the heart of the Bodhisattva path, reminding us of the preciousness of this human life and our rare opportunity to practice love and compassion. We are called to look beyond mere survival and material concerns, recognizing instead the profound chance we have to cultivate an awakened heart. With gratitude for this precious human birth, we vow to use it for the benefit of all beings, remembering that each moment is a gift filled with potential for spiritual growth and service.
they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?
- Matthew 6:26
As we observe the natural world and its cycles, we come to understand that all beings are sustained by a mystery greater than themselves. This awareness cultivates humility and gratitude within us. The Bodhisattva sees in each moment an opportunity to offer thanks—not only for personal blessings but for the interconnectedness that binds us to all living beings. Gratitude, then, becomes a practice of seeing the world as a gift and honoring each element within it as a teacher on our path.
- Matthew 6:27
This scripture directs our awareness to the preciousness of time. As we reflect on the certainty of death, we see the importance of using our days wisely. Instead of becoming ensnared in worry or trivial pursuits, we are encouraged to live each day with gratitude and purpose. The Bodhisattva embraces impermanence as a call to deepen their practice, to love without attachment, and to extend compassion freely, knowing each moment is a fleeting opportunity to serve others.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,
yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?"
- Matthew 6:28-30
The lilies, though adorned in beauty, live briefly and return to the earth. Their life reminds us that everything, no matter how lovely, is impermanent. Just as the lilies blossom and fade, so too will we. This recognition of impermanence teaches us to cherish our human life, a life that affords us a unique opportunity to seek wisdom, compassion, and the path to enlightenment. In each passing day, we draw closer to our own mortality, and yet this awareness can deepen our gratitude, urging us to use our precious life in ways that uplift and liberate. The Bodhisattva reflects on death not with sorrow but with a profound respect for the fleeting nature of existence, cultivating an urgency to live with purpose, compassion, and dedication to the well-being of all beings.
For it is the gentiles who seek all these things,
and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."
- Matthew 6:31-32
To follow the path of gratitude is to acknowledge that we are nourished by countless acts of kindness from all beings. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, all of life is interconnected, supporting and sustaining us. The Bodhisattva trains in recognizing and returning this kindness. Thanksgiving becomes a time to renew our commitment to repay the generosity of all beings, extending our own kindness outward, so that we, too, may be a source of sustenance and encouragement on the path.
and all these things will be given to you as well."
- Matthew 6:33
Our highest gratitude is expressed in seeking the “kingdom” within, where we cultivate the qualities of love, compassion, and wisdom. The Bodhisattva, striving for enlightenment for all beings, knows that the true treasure lies in the heart’s awakening. As we embody these qualities, all other blessings naturally follow, transforming Thanksgiving from a single day of thanks into a lifelong practice of grace and generosity.
May our Thanksgiving be rich with peace, may our gratitude grow boundless, and may our hearts ever turn to the service of others. This is the path of the Bodhisattva, a journey of endless thanksgiving for the chance to awaken and to uplift all beings. In this spirit, may we celebrate together, giving thanks not only for what we have received but for all we have yet to give.