“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” – Abraham Lincoln
In serving each other we become free
“May God grant us the wisdom to discover right, the will to choose it, and the strength to make it endure.” -King Arthur’s pledge encapsulating the values of the Knights of the Round Table as portrayed in film “The First Knight.”
World Day of Thanksgiving
Imagine Camelot at its finest hour—a realm defined not by conquest or riches, but by the ideals of service, freedom, and the shared pursuit of a meaningful life. If King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were to host a World Day of Thanksgiving, it would not resemble the feasts of modern history tied to new beginnings on foreign shores. Instead, this day would stand as an enduring testament to their motto, “In serving each other we become free,” intertwining seamlessly with the universal aspiration for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
A Gathering of Equals
At the heart of Camelot’s Thanksgiving lies the Round Table itself, a symbol of equality, unity, and mutual respect. Here, there are no thrones, no elevated platforms for the powerful. Every knight, from the boldest warrior to the humblest squire honored for service, takes a seat at the circle, creating a space where every voice carries equal weight. This setting reinforces the idea that community thrives when no one stands above another, no one is above the law, drawing a parallel to the sacred promise of liberty—a liberty that demands participation and collaboration.
On this day of Thanksgiving, King Arthur would rise not as a king commanding allegiance but as a steward of shared ideals. His opening words might echo the wisdom of their creed, “The freedom we cherish is born from our care for one another. May we show gratitude for the bonds we have forged, for the lives enriched through service and to the One in Whom ‘we live and move and have our being’ for sustaining us—the turning of seasons, the bounty of the earth, and the strength we find in one another. May we live not only to receive these blessings but to share them freely, honoring the spirit that connects us all.”
Celebrating through Service
Rather than indulgence in celebration alone, this Thanksgiving would be a day of action. Across Camelot, knights and villagers alike would dedicate the morning to acts of service. Knights might fetch water from distant wells for the elderly, repair the homes of widows, or labor alongside farmers in the fields. They would lead by example, embodying humility and shared purpose, proving that strength lies in uplifting one another.
These acts would reflect the profound connections between service and liberty. Just as Camelot’s motto proclaims that true freedom is achieved through service, the act of giving reinforces the bonds that make liberty sustainable. Without unity—the willingness to shoulder one another’s burdens—the pursuit of happiness can become hollow. Camelot, on this Day of Thanksgiving, would demonstrate that serving others is not a sacrifice. It is a path to a deeper fulfillment.
The Feast of Harmony
When the afternoon sun sinks low and the work is done, the citizens of Camelot would convene for a communal feast. Decorated with garlands, fresh fruits, and bread from shared ovens, the Round Table becomes more than a meeting place; it transforms into a symbol of abundance achieved through collective effort. Each villager brings something—a basket of apples, a brace of hares, or a tale of the year’s blessings to share. Gratitude is not confined to material gifts but expressed in stories, songs, and fellowship.
Here, the spirit of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” finds its reflection. Life is honored through the food born of the land and labor; liberty is celebrated in the unbridled laughter of a free people; and happiness is captured in the seamless unity of diverse individuals gathered as one.
King Arthur might propose a toast, raising his chalice high to the motto that surrounds them, engraved on the great table itself. “To the bonds that sustain us, to the service —which is our freedom— that makes us strong, and to God Almighty: may we always be on His side.” His words would remind all present that freedom is not an abstract gift bestowed by a ruler but a living entity nurtured by every hand and heart in the kingdom.
Lessons for All Ages
Though the world of Camelot exists in legend, its ideals remain timeless. The motto “In serving each other we become free” speaks to a truth that transcends eras and nations. It shares kinship with the Declaration of Independence‘s affirmation of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” in that both emphasize the responsibilities that tie freedom to collective well-being. One cannot live fully without the freedom to serve others, and one cannot pursue happiness alone, separated from the needs of the community.
If Camelot can teach us anything, it is that Thanksgiving—true Thanksgiving—is not confined to gratitude for what we have. It must also be gratitude in action, expressed through the selfless commitment to others. On their World Day of Thanksgiving, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table would show us the way, celebrating not the triumphs of a single people but the enduring strength of humanity united through service, freedom, and shared hope.
A Call to Act
Today, the echo of Camelot’s example invites us to reflect on how we give thanks and what it means to live freely. Can we, too, create a community where our service to one another ensures the flourishing of all? Can we build a round table of our own, where no one stands above another?
The Knights of the Round Table understood that liberty’s promise hinges on something greater than individual ambition. It rests in the hands of those who see freedom not as an end, but as a gift magnified only through service. This Thanksgiving, in whatever way you can, may you honor that truth.
On the Wrong Side of History
“What I offer you is freedom; freedom from Arthur’s tyrannical dream; freedom from Arthur’s tyrannical law; freedom from Arthur’s tyrannical God… Men don’t want brotherhood, they want leadership.” -Malagant as portrayed in film “The First Knight.”
King Arthur’s toast stands as a beacon of hope, celebrating unity, service, and gratitude to God as the foundations of a just and flourishing society. In stark contrast, Maligan’s speech cynically rejects these ideals, casting them as oppressive and offering instead a hollow “freedom”—freedom from shared values, from mutual service, and from any sense of divine purpose. He glorifies leadership as dominance, dismissing the brotherhood Arthur cherishes as naive.
To progress, it is crucial for this society to acknowledge and address the influence of the Dweller. By doing so, it can dismantle the barriers that uphold divisiveness and the pursuit of selfish happiness. People have the right to pursue their own paths to happiness, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. This involves fostering dialogue, promoting empathy, and encouraging policies that reflect higher values. Only by overcoming these challenges can society evolve towards greater harmony and self-fulfillment, fulfilling its potential for both individual and collective enlightenment.
History favors Arthur’s vision, where true freedom is born not from power or isolation but from the bonds of community and the pursuit of shared good. Maligan’s promise, stripped of responsibility and reverence, leads to fracture; Arthur’s dream inspires legacy.
On which side do we want to be?
From the center which we call the human race
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
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Really LOVE this! THIS is the very best thought piece you’ve written, though at the rate you write, I’ve only read a fraction 🙂
Of course, I love the chivalry, and high honor and soul values embodied by the Knights. The round table metaphor is perfect for our times.
💖✨️💥🙏