Document
There is still enough water in our planet to provide a worthy life for every human and for the survival of every creature that depends on it. However, it is necessary to guarantee access for all to drinkable water, a goal that becomes feasible through overcoming the difficulties caused by neglect of natural resources – by pollution of the water, mismanagement, privatization projects, among other hazards.
In order to change this reality, we need a new civilization model able to overcome the false logic and structures of domination that commodify such natural resources as water and cause environmental depredation. The human being is capable of finding ways toward a sustainable life integrated into the whole creation. Therefore, it is urgent that we abandon the capitalist, egoistic and depredating way of life, adopting instead an ethical, fair and simple way of life in harmony with nature while acting as caretakers of its resources.
The churches have much to contribute toward helping the planet sustainability search. In their theologies, spiritualties and mission projects, the churches offer much toward recovering the sense of a life lived in gratitude. This is an antidote to the capitalist logic of destructive ambition. Churches have much to say about relations of justice and solidarity that seek a world in which everyone - above all the poor - possesses the needed access to water so that all may live in health and dignity.
Proposal of a way
The understanding of water as an image of God and of salvation in God helps this process. God acts through water, showing divine love for people. In the beginning, everything was water and God made everything from the water (Gen. 1). In addition, when there was disequilibrium in the relations of human beings, of our interaction with nature and with God, God moves to recreate everything again from the water (the story of Noah).
As a gift of God, water becomes the image of God, who gives life. It is an instrument by which the life plan of God comes true on earth. God’s self-revelation is sometimes experienced through the image of water that comes from the sky: I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots”(Hos. 14:5). God is the pastor who leads to the living water fountain (Psa. 23, Ezek. 34:11-15), He becomes, Himself, the fountain (John 10:11). God’s wisdom is like a stream that overflows (Pro. 18:4), and is given for all as water (Sir. 15:3). The thirsty one seeks God (Amos 8:11), and all will be able to drink from the source of salvation (Isa. 12:3-4). That is clear in Jesus: “If anyone is thirsty come to me and drink. The one who believes in me will have rivers of living water flowing inside, as the scriptures say” (John 7:37-38). Christian faith is born in the water of baptism in which we all are bathed in the waters of Christ’s salvation.
Unfortunately, since biblical times there has existed the temptation to own water, this source of life, as was seen in the conflict between Isaac and the Canaanite king Abimelek for the control of water wells (Gen. 26: 15-33). The possession of land includes the possession of water (Judg. 1:15), and fertile lands are concentrated in the hands of lords and kings. This domination ”damns” the land (Gen. 3:17). The Bible shows that accumulation of reservoirs is a mistake and a sin of desertion of the real God: “They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (cf. Jer. 2:13). Then water, source of life, can prove to be the water of destruction too (Gen. 6-9). The Israelite people engaged in the resistance against the oppressors in Egypt and in Canaan (cf. Isa. 30:14; Jer. 14:3), while the desert taught that water, as well as bread, is for all, and in just this way everyone will be able to live “in a good land, a land with brooks, streams and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills” (Deut. 8:2). Living in justice, peace and faithfulness to God, all will be led to the “source of water” (Isa. 49:10).
New relations in the understanding of water as an image of God
Because of all this, we are called to have new relations with our fellow human beings, with our sisters and brothers, with nature and with God, as we develop:
- hospitality, care and generosity with others, like Abraham who offers water to his guests to wash their feet (Gen. 18:1-5); like the good Samaritan who cares and washes the wounds of the injured (Luke 10:30-17); like the widow from Zarephath who generously gives a glass of water to Elijah (1Kings 17:10-11).
- solidarity, like Jacob who takes the rock from the well so that Rachel may give water to her flock (Gen. 29:10). All beings are interdependent, needing each other to survive. We are beings made for cooperation, and the principle of solidarity imposes the ethic of co-responsibility on the maintenance of life.
- the defense of the other`s right, like Moses who guarantees water to the daughters of Jethro (Exod. 2:16-17). We all are part of the same planetary life tissue, and we all live thanks to that main source of life, water. Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to guarantee the access of all to the means and conditions of survival, and above all to water.
- wisdom, like that of Elysium, who makes water drinkable for the use of the people (2Kings 2:19-21). We need to ensure that water is available for all rational uses, rescuing wasted water and regenerating water that has been polluted. Human wisdom develops science, and technology that can make its contribution to solving the planetary crisis concerning water.
- courage, of biblical figures who stand against the dominators and on the side of the ones who defend suffering people, like Obadiah when he contradicts King Ahab and gives water to the prophets (1Kings 18:4), or like Judith who evades the guards to get water to the people ( Judith 7:13-14; 12: 7-9). It is necessary to adopt prophetic attitudes so that we may join the fight against all the privatization initiatives trying to capitalize on water.
Thoughts for Reflection:
1. Am I developing these attitudes in my relations with others and with nature, as an expression of Justice with God and God’s creation?
Questions for Discussion:
1. What are the laws of my country that need to be changed to promote new ethical and just relations regarding nature, and regarding water above all?
2. Do I know the organizations that promote the water as a common good? Which of their projects attract my attention?
Ideas for Action:
1. What can I tangibly do so that water may be accessible for everyone in my society?
2. How can I collaborate with churches and organizations in society that promote water as a common good, struggling against its privatization?
* Rev. Prof. Dr Elias Wolff is Roman Catholic priest and professor from southern Brazil’s Curitiba region.
