I’d like to wish everyone a joyful Thanksgiving weekend. 2024 has been a year of both joy, with the celebration of the 90th Anniversary of our Mission Headquarters in America, and much turmoil, given the natural disasters that seem to occur with increasing frequency. Yet, as a way to find things to be thankful as we approach the Thanksgiving weekend, I thought of what this word—”thankful”—meant in the many languages around the world.

“Obligado”(Portuguese) comes from “obligation” and conveys a sense that “I feel a sense of obligation to you for what you did for me.” It means that we wish to return the favor.

“Thank You” (English) and “Danke” (German), according to one theory, trace back to “think,” in a sense of “I will think of your kindness.”

“Merci” (French) and “Grazie” (Italian) have a stronger awareness of God’s presence in our lives, with etymological roots of “mercy” and “grace.” And we use these words in the sense of acknowledging the “kindness” or “mercy” that was extended to me.

Xie 謝 in “Xie xie” (Chinese) has two parts in the character, of “word” 言 and of “shooting an arrow” 射. “Shooting an arrow” has to do with the bow’s string becoming loose, or become relaxed, after the arrow is shot. The idea is that the mind is now relaxed at this moment. So, xie xie is to verbalize that idea, by saying that “I feel relaxed thanks to you.”

“Arigato” (Japanese) combines the Kanji characters of “difficult (rare)” and “to be (to exist).” Together, it literally means “rarely exists.” The implied meaning could be “what you did for me is truly something that is rare.” The world may not be a good place, but you are its shining beacon.

We usually associate Western civilization with “individualism,” but its concept of “thankfulness” seems to emphasize a recognition of others and of God. It’s a concept that underscores the social nature of who we are. On the other hand, it seems that Eastern concepts of “thankfulness” draw upon emotional and philosophical aspects of the word. My mind is relieved—in peace—for the blessing that we should not take for granted.

And to bring all these ideas together, “to be thankful” in a global sense is a recognition that we are not alone, nor do we need to be, and we can find peace and relief for ourselves and others through searching for those moments and acting upon it. It may be rare and may not always happen, but God’s grace will be there for us.

I pray that you will find many things to be thankful for, in the closing days of 2024.

Tak Hayashi