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Seven Weeks for Water 2024, final refection: "Groaning earth needs resurrection through 'water of life'"

The last reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is jointly written by Rev. Audra Hudson Stone and Jacob Stone. They argue that natural disasters are not natural anymore; rather, they are human-induced. These disasters are the groaning of the earth, which is drawing our attention to mend our ways. The Stones are hopeful that, as Jesus rose from the shackles of death, the mother earth, too, will rise from its despair, suffering, and death through the water of life”—Jesus Christ. To that end, we need to facilitate and practice resurrection” of the earth!

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 7: "Water for peace in the Africa region"

The seventh reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri. She reflects on one of earliest conflicts over water recorded in the Bible, and draws our attention to today’s water conflicts, giving examples of transboundary water conflicts in her region in Africa. She highlights Isaac, who chose peace over conflict related to water, time after time—a fitting message for the World Water Day 2024 and its theme, Water for Peace.” 

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 6: "Cured water, peaceable people: A reflection from Pasifika (Pacific)"

The sixth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Rev. Dr Jione Havea from the Pacific region. Reflecting on the interesting story of the Bible where Moses turns the bitter water of Marah into drinkable water, with the help of God, Havea argues that drinkable water can bring peace while lack of water is a source of conflict. Then he encourages the readers to advocate for water justice. 

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 5: "Amid rain and storms, discerning the signs of the times"

The fifth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by  Rev. Jane Stranz. In this reflection, she dwells on the text where Jesus calms a storm, while his disciples were panicked.  She calls for a conversion from relying on a God with magical powers to having faith in a God who calls us to take an active part in the miracle of overcoming fear. Jesus calls us to share in interpreting the signs of the times and take responsible action together for the kingdom.  A clarion call indeed in our advocacy for water justice and climate justice.

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 4: "Thirst for justice: a Dalit women’s perspective on water rights"

The  fourth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Rev. Dr Anupama Hial.  In this reflection, she recalls her struggles in the past as a Dalit woman in India to get access to clean water.  She challenges churches to be a catalyst for fulfilling the promise of Isaiah to provide free water to all who are thirsty, especially to the Dalit women. 

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 3: "Celebrating Jesus’ life in water through the lens of justice”

The third reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Very Rev. Dr Augustinos Bairactaris. In this reflection, he underscores that the water justice issue is a theological task for all, and that the health of the water is vital to human civilization, and for the stability of the worlds climate and biodiversity. He urges all Christians to pray, fast, and act together for a sustainable environment and planet, especially during Lent.

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 2: How can we drink from our own cisterns?

The second reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Rev. Vinod Victor, Anglican Church of Freiburg in Germany. In this reflection, he compares the water situation of early Palestine to that of today in the wake of the ongoing war in Gaza. He also asks how people can drink from their own cisterns when they are controlled by outsiders. 

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 1: Water for peace in the Middle East region

The first reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Dr Munib Younan,* bishop emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and former president of the Lutheran World Federation. In this reflection, the author, as a Palestinian, in line with this year's theme of "leveraging water for peace,” reflects on Isaiah's promise of free water for the thirsty in the context of the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza that has worsened the water situation in Gaza to catastrophic levels.

Hope for Palestine

Rev. Sally Azar, of the Lutheran Church in the Holy Land, offered the reflection below on how Easter reminds us there is hope for Palestine.

Sieben Wochen im Zeichen des Wassers 2023, woche 7: "Und wir dürsten noch immer nach Wasser! ", Bishop Munib Younan

Die ursprünglich 2016 veröffentlichte siebte Bibelstudie der Fastenkampagne 2023 des Ökumenischen Wassernetzwerks des ÖRK „Sieben Wochen für Wasser“ stammt von The Rt Rev. Dr. Munib Younan von der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Jordanien und im Heiligen Land.

Und der Engel zeigte mir einen Strom lebendigen Wassers, klar wie Kristall, der ausgeht von dem Thron Gottes und des Lammes; mitten auf dem Platz und auf beiden Seiten des Stromes Bäume des Lebens, die tragen zwölfmal Früchte, jeden Monat bringen sie ihre Frucht, und die Blätter der Bäume dienen zur Heilung der Völker.

(Offenbarung 22,1-2)

Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 7: "And we are still thirsty for water!", by Bishop Munib Younan

Originally published in 2016, the seventh reflection of the WCC's Ecumenical Water Network Lenten campaign 2023 "Seven Weeks for Water" is from The Rt Rev. Dr Munib Younan, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

Salaam and grace to you from Jerusalem, the Holy City. As an Arab Christian, I am thankful for the opportunity to write a reflection for this year’s “Seven Weeks for Water”. Of course, this part of the world always has been dealing with water issues because of its dry climate and few water resources. Today, however, the Palestinian people face an even greater water challenge. It is a crisis that grows worse year after year.

Sieben Wochen im Zeichen des Wassers 2023, woche 6: "Wasser zum Leben", Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm

Die ursprünglich 2014 veröffentlichte sechste biblische Reflexion der Sieben Wochen für Wasser 2023 stammt von Bischof Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm von der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Bayern, Deutschland, und Vorsitzender des ÖRK-Zentralausschusses. Anhand von Beispielen aus der Bibel betont er, dass Wasser absolut lebensnotwendig ist und dass jeder das Recht auf freien Zugang zu Wasser für seinen Lebensunterhalt hat, unabhängig von seiner wirtschaftlichen Situation.

Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 6: "Water for Life", by Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm

Originally published in 2014, the sixth Biblical reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2023 is by Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, Germany, and moderator of the WCC central committee. Citing examples from the Bible, he highlights that water is absolutely necessary for life and that everybody has the right of free access to water for their sustenance,  irrespective of their economic status.

Sieben Wochen im Zeichen des Wassers 2023, woche 5: "Wasser: Gabe Gottes, öffentliches Gut und Menschenrecht. Dürfen wir es privatisieren? ", Pastor. Dr. Donald Bruce Yeates

Die fünfte Reflexion der sieben Wochen für Wasser 2023 des Ökumenischen Wassernetzwerks des ÖRK wurde ursprünglich im Jahr 2020 geschrieben und stammt von Rev. Dr. Donald Bruce Yeates, einem Geistlichen der Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church of Suva, Fidschi und beratender Seelsorger an der Universität von der Südpazifik. Bruce ist seit 1975 im Pazifik als Akademiker in Sozialarbeit, Gemeindeentwicklung und Sozialpolitik tätig, nachdem er an der Universität von Papua-Neuguinea und der Universität des Südpazifik gedient hat. In der folgenden Reflexion unterstreicht er die Bedeutung des Menschenrechts auf Wasser und den Ansturm der Privatisierung vor dem Hintergrund des weltweit berühmtesten Flaschenwassers, das aus seinem Heimatland, den „Fidschi-Gewässern“, stammt.