As is often the case in the scriptures, the natural world plays an important part.
Today water is the crucial element, and it is not being used as a metaphor for anything. The scriptural tradition is talking about water as the source of life, healing, medicine and food.
In the first reading, God shows Ezekiel a river that supports abundant life. In addition to all of the life in the river itself, trees and plants grow along its banks – providing food and medicine for people.
In the gospel, Jesus engages a paralyzed man who is next to the healing waters of the pool at Bethesda. We are told that many gathered by the water’s edge because of the healing properties of the water.
No matter where we live, our lives are intimately bound to water. Native peoples around the world held water as sacred and deeply understood this vital relationship.
In our modern era, much of this original wisdom has been lost.
Most of us know so little about the watershed that we live in. We may not know where our water comes from or where it goes. We might not know anything about our local rivers, creeks and streams. And this lack of knowledge leaves us and our water very vulnerable – let alone if we start thinking about how much water we use and waste.
Theologian and friend of Spiritus Christi, Ched Myers has for decades focused on what he calls “watershed discipleship”. He says that especially at this historical moment of water crisis, water literacy and water defense need to be reclaimed as a matters of faith (like it was in biblical times). Churches, Myers says, must reclaim their mission to help the followers of Jesus to “rediscover our proper place in, and to work for the healing and preservation of, the community of creation.”[1] Water is at the heart of that mission.
This is no easy task, however, because we have drifted so far from our rootedness to place. But it can begin today. We can pause every time we use water, every time water goes down the drain or every time we flush. Where has it come from? Where is it going? What and who else depends on this water? How do I think about my relationship to this place and to the water of this place?
If you are in Rochester, you live in the Genesee Valley watershed. You can learn more about it here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/48371.html
To learn more about watershed discipleship: https://watersheddiscipleship.org/
To read a brief article about a mural in Rochester that pays tribute to the Seneca relationship to the Genesee River: https://www.roccitynews.com/arts-entertainment/water-is-life-mural-by-seneca-artist-installed-on-the-genesee-13726895
[1] https://missiodeijournal.com/issues/md-5-2/authors/md-5-2-myers
3 Comments
Paul Kane
Mike,
Great post – love the water connection. We have so much water available here in the Great Lakes and it’s always falling from the sky, especially in winter, that it’s easy to forget what a gift we have. As the weather improves, we also need to think about the things we do outdoors that affect our own water supply – grass clippings, excess fertilizers, pesticides, soap from washing cars in the driveway – that go down storm drains and wind up, unfiltered and untreated, in Lake Ontario. Another exercise in mindfulness.
Paul
Sue Staropoli
Thanks so much for this important message about finding our roots in our watershed, Mike, and the excellent resources.
I had learned it before but see again that some of us (like in penfield) are actually in the lake ontario watershed.( Not the genessee river watershed that we thought).
There is so much to learn and absorb. Thanks for prompting more exploration!
Sharon H
Mindful post Great to review where we are in reference to our watershed and what we can all do to protect this precious natural resource. Thanks Mike
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