9 November – Christine Traynier St Laurence Catholic Church

Water

In September Rye and surrounding areas in East Sussex were without water for several days. Restaurants and hotels had to close and residents were forced to use bottles of mineral water with which to cook and wash. It’s not until there’s a burst water main or drought, that we realise just how important this special commodity is and that we shouldn’t take it for granted. Water is fundamental to the existence of life, not just on our planet but throughout the universe. That is why, in our quest to find alien life, we look first for water.

Water quality has certainly improved in the last 100 years. The new London sewer (Thames-Tideway) is an enormous investment and closer to home, a new reservoir is being built near Rowlands Castle. But we cannot afford to be complacent and must hold water companies to account over discharges of sewage and water leaks. In our own homes we can be mindful of not wasting water down the sink.

The importance of water is underlined in the Bible and by Jesus. It is present in sacraments like Baptism and at Mass such as the sprinkling of holy water at Easter. The New Testament refers more to the water of life. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” John chapter 3 verse 5. We can drink more of this water of life by strengthening our faith. Jesus tried to explain this to the Samaritan woman at the well. She misunderstood His meaning, saying, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” Jesus explained, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst; [it] will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John chapter 4: verse 14.