# Prayers of thanksgiving: the canticle of daniel
*2017-05-10*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Joseph of Arimathea and St. Nicodemus and leads a prayer of thanksgiving through the Canticle of Daniel.

## The Courage of St. Joseph of Arimathea and St. Nicodemus

Good morning. Today is Monday, August 31st, and we celebrate the feast days of St. Joseph of Arimathea and St. Nicodemus. St. Joseph of Arimathea is best known for providing his own tomb for Jesus and for requesting His body from Caesar after the crucifixion. St. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, initially came to Jesus at night to learn more about His teachings, and later stood up for Jesus during His trial.

## The Canticle of Daniel

Today's prayer is a prayer of thanksgiving called the Canticle of Daniel, also known as the Canticle of the Three Holy Children. 

O all works of the Lord, bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever. And you, angels of the Lord, bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever. And you, the heavens of the Lord, bless the Lord. And you, the clouds of the sky, bless the Lord. And you, all armies of the Lord, bless the Lord; to Him the highest glory and praise forever.

## Praising God Through Creation

And you, the sun and the moon, bless the Lord. And you, the stars of the heavens, bless the Lord. And you, the showers and the rain, bless the Lord; to Him the highest glory and praise forever. And you, the breeze and the winds, bless the Lord. And you, the fire and the heat, bless the Lord. And you, the frost and the snow, bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever.

And you, nighttime and day, bless the Lord. And you, the darkness and light, bless the Lord. And you, the lightning and clouds, bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever.

## The Earth and All Its Inhabitants

Let the earth bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever. And you, the mountains and the hills, bless the Lord. And you, all the plants of the earth, bless the Lord. And you, the fountains and the springs, bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever.

And you, the rivers and the seas, bless the Lord. And you, the creatures of the seas, bless the Lord. And you, every bird in the sky, bless the Lord. And you, the wild beasts and the tamed, bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever.

## A Final Offering of Praise

And you, children of men, bless the Lord; to Him the highest glory and praise forever. O Israel, bless the Lord. And you, the priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. And you, the servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; to Him be the highest glory and praise forever.

And you, spirit and soul of the just, bless the Lord. And the holy and humble heart, bless the Lord. O Isaiah and the miserable, bless the Lord; for Him the highest glory and praise forever. Let us praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To You, the highest glory and praise forever. May You be blessed, O Lord, in the heavens. To You, the highest glory and praise forever. Amen.

*All of creation, from the celestial hosts to the humblest heart, is called to give the highest glory and praise to the Lord.*