A Word on Thanksgiving

“We should try by all means to be as grateful as possible. For gratitude is a good thing for ourselves, in a sense in which justice, that is commonly supposed to concern other persons, is not; gratitude returns in large measure unto itself.” – Seneca, Moral Letters 81.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." – Psalm: 107.

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5: 20.

Gratitude is an important state of mind. It not only helps us to live humbly (thankful for the many blessings that have brought us to the day), it fosters generosity and neighborliness. Ungrateful people are often spiteful, filled with anger, envy, and a sense of entitlement. Gratitude enables us to remember that we are recipients, holding space for the recognition of God’s work and mastery. It makes us, like Moses and Abraham say, “Here I am.” (הִנֵּנִי; “hineni”).

Note that in Hebrew, the best term for “thanksgiving” is probably תוֹדָה (“toda”). The gematria of this term toda is 415, reducing to 10 (completion) and 1 (unity). Gratitude represents both the completion (and fullness, 10) as well as the source (and origin, 1). 

Importantly, the number 415 is also the gematria of המשכן, (ha-mishkan) meaning “the tabernacle.” 

Using the law of correspondence (a “dru’ush” reading), gratitude is associable with the tabernacle as a means of alignment, suited for the reception of the Shekinah, as was the tabernacle. Gratitude, then, is a tabernacle of the heart.

Note further that the gematria for Hebrew word הִנֵּנִי (hineni; “here I am”) is 115. The number 300, then, is between gratitude and "here I am." 300 is the value of the letter shin, the fiery element, associated with Spirit (and the first letter of שכינה (shekinah)).

Spirit brings the receptive and ready one to a place of gratitude.

Further, the difference between shekinah and toda is  30 (that is, ל (“lamed,” meaning, in its spelled-out version, “to teach”)). 

So it is, when we stand ready in service of the divine, by the spirit, we learn to be grateful. A great secret is revealed, here. 

“And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:15-17.

May gratitude fill your heart to overflowing, may light rebound in light, may love renew in love, redoubled by extension.