Radical Thanksgiving in Father Alexander Schmemann's Last Homily
“Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.”
Giving thanks to God, we are overjoyed to offer a new resource for those entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We present the Preacher’s Workshop, a semimonthly blog showcasing homilies that exemplify excellence in rhetoric, exegesis, narrative, and imagery. This new resource for preachers is part of St. Vladimir’s Seminary's Compelling Preaching Initiative, which is generously sponsored by the Lilly Foundation.
Our first featured homily is none other than Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s well-known and much-loved “Thank You, O Lord.” Delivered on Thanksgiving Day, 1983, at the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel, this was the last homily Fr. Schmemann delivered before he reposed in the Lord on December 13 of that same year.
What to look for
- Speaking to God - The homily is addressed directly towards God as opposed to the listener. For example, the homily does not say, “Give thanks to the Lord,” rather, it says, “Thank You, O Lord.” This short address is unusual for a typical homily in that it is modeled after a liturgical prayer.
- Repetition - The homily repeats the phrase “Thank You, O Lord, for…” (anaphora), which captures the attention of the listener and draws them into this moving sermon about giving thanks.
- Liturgical Allusion - The second-to-last line uses the structure of a petition from the prayers for blessing water (Baptism and Theophany), “Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your works, and there is no word which suffices to hymn Your wonders.”
- Radical Thanksgiving - The homily follows St. Paul’s exhortation to give thanks to God for all things (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Thanksgiving is offered up for illness, “the sufferings You bestowed upon us”, and the holy noise of children.
“Thank You, O Lord”
By Fr. Alexander Schmemann
Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the "one thing needed;" Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.
Illustration by James O’Brien
