Living Waters

When waters cease to flow, they can easily become stagnant. Not only an environmental challenge, stagnant waters are a danger to people and animals, as they are easily contaminated and can become a breeding ground for bacteria and disease. Likewise, when waters move too quickly, they also become a hazard, with erosion and flooding; at times poisoning land with hypersalination (near oceans).

Our hydro-cycle is truly amazing, as it continually renews, refreshes, and re-filters our water to keep it healthy.

It’s why our scriptures speak of living waters; the sweet or fresh water (not salty) that is essential for life. To find a natural source of flowing water was to be in a place that could sustain community; it is why places were named after wells, and cities and trade routes established on waterways.

Our traditions depend on water; our rituals and rites expect access to living water: from the waters of baptism to the Eucharistic ablutions, water is presenting to us a reminder of miracle.
In our modern culture where so many of us have access to clean and safe water – at the casual flip of a tap inside our homes – it can be easy to forget how dependent we are on living water.

So we return again and again to the source of the living water: the God of the psalms who leads us to the still waters to be refreshed; the Christ by the well who extends salvation as he requests a cool drink; the spirit who hovers over and touches all of creation as it emerges from the cosmic waters.

The same water that has blessed all of our ancestors continues to bless us; and will continue to bless generations to come. So we embrace the invitation of stewardship of water: not just the chemical elements and the systems and structures that support us (for our attention with our hydrocycle is imperative for all life); but also with the spiritual waters in our lives.

Are we drinking deeply of the waters that are offered? Are we appreciating the freshness of this life-giving resource? In areas where we are stagnant, how might we restore and reform our ways? Do we recognise and respect our seasons of drought, and those of abundance?

Wherever we are in our spiritual journey, let us be assured of the invitation to come and drink, to champion acts of justice that flow like waters, to receive the cleansing properties of this basic God-given gift. May we come to the still waters and drink by our shepherd, so that we do not become stagnant in our expressions of faith.