For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. – Thessalonians 5:5
As we approach Thanksgiving, let us give special thanks to the farmworkers who toil to bring the produce to market. I give you two prayers for your reflection. The first is a blessing from the National Farm Worker Ministry:
Bless the hands of the people of the earth, the hands that plant the seed, the hands that bind the harvest, the hands that carry the burden of life.
Soften the hands of the oppressor and strengthen the hands of the oppressed. Bless the hands of the workers, bless the hands of those in power above them that the measure they deal will be tempered with justice and compassion.
Amen.
The second prayer is from Interfaith Worker Justice that is now part of Georgetown University within the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor:
O God of seed and harvest, we pause to give thanks for the table set before us and the food that graces it.
[The people gathered take turn naming the various foods on the table being blessed, by saying, “thank you for the ____” until all the foods have been named.]
In a moment we will eat this food, harvested from many parts of the nation and world. It will be transformed into the flesh and blood of our bodies. Keep us mindful of the many workers who labor in field and factory to bring us this food.
From the bounty and nourishment of the meal, we dedicate ourselves to work to abolish poverty, unsafe working conditions, workplace abuse, and unjust wages among those who feed us through their labor.
We pray this in the name of the Creator God, who not only fed the Israelites in the desert but transformed simple folk like us into disciples for justice and peace.
Amen.
Consider adding these prayers of blessing, remembrance, and dedication during your Thanksgiving gathering. For all of us are children of the light and children of the day.
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC