Gratitude for the Ineffable
November has arrived with preparations for the national holiday that invites us to stop and give thanks. Initially associated with the autumnal harvest, Thanksgiving is also recognized as a time to gather with family and friends. While not a religious holiday, the day of gratitude is celebrated by people of countless faith traditions and of no faith tradition. My family observed the day with a multi-generational gathering for a special meal including an expression of gratitude for God’s blessings and graces.
This year, November feels different. The nation that traditionally acclaimed the diversity of who we are as e pluribus unum is in turmoil. Having moved pass the surprise of family or community members holding vastly different perspectives, plans need to be made. Families will decide whether to walk on eggshells, or forego gathering. The chaos, cruelty and greed we are witnessing will not eliminate gratitude but they are a call to action. We as a people must study our history too long whitewashed, and discern effective responses. Because of the many cultures, ethnicities, heritages and people on this land, it is unimaginable to consider a mandated one size fits all Thanksgiving.
When speaking of “God,” I am, with all the limitations of my human capacity, referring to the Great Mystery or the Holy One far beyond my ability to fully comprehend. It may be easier to calculate the sands of my favorite beach or count the stars kissing a moonless sky. I also acknowledge that my experience, insight and understanding of “God” are limited. Language itself has limitations. It is humbling for me to consider that even within Christianity the absolute concept or reality of “God” is ineffable.
With English as my first language, I was taught to use three letters from our 26-letter writing system to spell the word “God.” It would be absurd or nonsensical for me to expect all Christians to use the same word. Other languages may use the same alphabet, but they have different vocabularies. There are also peoples who use other alphabets or writing systems including letters are characters illegible for us.
Regardless the language, the people cannot fully articulate the ineffable. Following are only a few words for “God” used by Christians in other languages. How do you feel in reading them? It is humbling to consider the number of different languages and writing systems unknown to me. There are likely exclusively oral systems. Imagine the impact of a universal multi-lingual Christian litany of the word beyond all others. Afterwards, imagine the silence.
Allah in Arabic
Deus in Latin
Dieu in French
Dio in Italian
Dios in Spanish
Mungo in Swahili
Ngewo in Mende
Panginoon in Tagalog
Theos in Greek