Thanks!

Martin Buber, in a letter to friends, tried to describe to his well-wishers his gratitude at reaching the ripe age of 85. Here is what he wrote:

"Once again the hour for uncommon gratitude has come for me. I have much to give thanks for. For me, this was a time to meditate once more upon the word thank [remercier]. Its ordinary meaning is generally understood, but it does not lend itself to a description that would define it unequivocally.

"It belongs to a category of words whose original meaning is multiple. It thus awakens a variety of associations in various languages.

"In German and English, the verb for 'remercier,' which is danken and thank, is related to denken and think, in the sense of having in one's thoughts, remembering someone. The person who says, 'I thank you,' 'Ich danke dir,' assures the other person that he or she will be kept in the memory, and more specifically in the good memory, that of friendship and joy. The eventuality of a different sort of memory isn't wanted.

"The sense in Hebrew is different. There the verb form hodot means first to come in support of someone, and only later, to thank. He who thanks someone rallies in support of the one thanked. He will now -- and from now on -- be his ally. This includes the idea of memory, but more: it proceeds from within the soul toward the world to become act and event. To come in support of someone in this way is to confirm him in his existence.

"I propose to vow a thankful memory and to come in support of all who have sent me their good wishes for my eighty-fifth birthday. -Jerusalem, Feb. 1963."

From Levinas, Proper Names, pp. 38-39.

At Mass today, Fr. Don quoted Meister Eckhart, a 13th Century mystic, who said, "If 'thank you' is the only prayer you said, it would be enough."

Let me add the Spanish word, gracias. Grace too is a gift, for which we freely give thanks by giving back an appreciation, a grace returned.

What a blessing to experience gratitude. To be grateful is to be present to the gift that is our life, our family, our friends, our community, nation, world, artists and scientists, and all who help to support us, and us them, in this extraordinary world. For that I give thanks!

Listen to ABBA's "Thank You For the Music"

Listen to the Beatles' "Thank You Girl"

Another thank you song.

Johnny Cash's "Thanksgiving Song"

Johnny Cash's "Thank You Prayer"

Mary Chapin Carpenter "Thanksgiving"