A Thanksgiving Challenge

Marcus Aurelius ruled Rome from 161 to 180 AD, first as co-emperor with Lucius Verus from 161-169, then alone until joined by his son from 177 until his death while on a Austrian campaign in 180 AD. He is known as one of the “Five Good Emperors”, the “protector of philosophy” and a prime example of Stoic leadership. Marcus Aurelius should also be our model for gratitude this Thanksgiving.

This time of year we pause to say “thanks” and in some manner privately review with gratitude those things we are blessed to have, or in some public way share these thoughts with others. As we give thanks this year, let us be challenged with a couple truths.

First, where does our gratitude go? That which receives our gratitude must either be personal or impersonal. What does an impersonal Universe to do with our gratitude? What is the point when our thoughts stay locked in our heads (privately) or our squeaky little voices cannot be heard above a tree top (publicly)? “Well,” someone might offer, “we show gratitude to relieve ourselves, to give a sense of balance to everything.” If that’s the case, we thank ourselves (which is selfish and still a fruitless exercise). Additionally, if we could balance the Universe with a feeling then why have we not already corrected all that is out of balance? The only other option is that a Personal Being receives our gratitude--and we are twice blessed. The good pagan Emperor of Rome found himself doing just that, for an incident and philosophical reason brought him to the point. We’ll return to this momentarily.

Second, what is the subject of our thanks? Are we thankful for things or people? Here is where Marcus Aurelius can be helpful, deepening our challenge. His intensely personal work, “The Meditations” opens with a long list of names (here’s a crash course on how to pronounce hard names and words: “with confidence”) and with that list, a catalog of contributions each made in his life. Read the list of 16 people and how he applied their investment. He takes time to give thanks for the people in his life before he shows gratitude for what they did for him. But who receives the gratitude of a pagan Emperor?

As you make your way down the list, read a name and the contribution. Gratitude is not shown until near the end, a “17th person” or “persons” if you will. He writes, “to the gods I am indebted for having good grandfathers, good parents, a good sister, good teachers, good associates, good kinsmen and friends, nearly everything good. . . . I owe it to the gods . . . . I am thankful to the gods . . . I thank the gods . . . for all these things require the help of the gods and fortune.” (I. 17)

My part here is not to argue monotheism or polytheism (one God or many gods) for as Emperor, Marcus Aurelius persecuted Christians for their atheism until he nearly lost a battle. The reason for victory--and for this list of persons with their contributions?

“Therefore it is probable that those whom we suppose to be atheists, have God as their ruling power entrenched in their conscience. For having cast themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me, but also for the whole army as it stood, that they might be delivered from the present thirst and famine. For during five days we had got no water, because there was none; for we were in the heart of Germany, and in the enemy's territory. And simultaneously with their casting themselves on the ground, and praying to God (a God of whom I am ignorant), water poured from heaven, upon us most refreshingly cool, but upon the enemies of Rome a withering hail. And immediately we recognised [sic] the presence of God following on the prayer—a God unconquerable and indestructible. Founding upon this, then, let us pardon such as are Christians, lest they pray for and obtain such a weapon against ourselves. And I counsel that no such person be accused on the ground of his being a Christian.” (from “EPISTLE OF MARCUS AURELIUS TO THE SENATE” in the conclusion of Justin Martyr’s “Apology”)

Is it any wonder how in his military campaign in the southern part of Eastern Europe toward the end of his life he feels compelled to pause, reflect and give thanks in his personal journal?

Remember the people in your life. You would not be who you are without them.