Learning that water is life

By SISTER VICTORIA L. BATTELL, RSM- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Until I came to the United States from England just over three years ago, I hadn't thought much about water. It was something I used and took for granted.

I hadn't considered water's scarcity, its sacredness and the ethical issues it raises. The preciousness of water is something which I now teach about in social justice ethics -- and pray about in my quieter moments.

At the end of June, I spent two weeks at a chapter meeting in Buffalo of my religious order, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. We spent a lot of time reflecting on and discussing justice issues concerning access to clean water and how it is causing mass poverty, displacement of people and violence.

At the meeting, I was exposed to the issue of water in two very stark ways.

On one of the days, we engaged in a beautiful ritual where water from the 12 countries where Sisters of Mercy serve were mixed as a symbol of unity and the life we give to each other, the community and the Church. Then more than 300 sisters silently marched together in an act of contemplative solidarity over the many justice issues concerning water. We carried banners that read, "Water is life."

The march for water was profound for me. It brought to mind how much I take for granted access to clean, safe water. I thought of the thousands of women throughout the world who, instead of being educated, are walking miles and miles to get water for their families -- dirty, unsafe water.

The second way I was exposed to the issue of water was on a recreational trip to Niagara Falls. Another sister I was with convinced me to take a voyage on the "Maid of the Mist," a boat that took us to the very base of the falls. I was fortunate to have a place at the front of the boat, which gave me an unobstructed view of the sheer power of the falls, this wonder of the world.

I placed my trust in the skill of the captain to ensure we didn't get too close! It was a beautiful sight and an experience I shall never forget.

Access to clean, safe water is a unifying issue that goes beyond geographical and religious boundaries. We all need water. During my two weeks in Buffalo, I was exposed to how both the absence of and the ferocity of water can lead to the loss of life -- yet it is the very substance which sustains us and our planet. Without water, all life would be lost.

These experiences made me look again to "Laudato Si'," Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, in which the pope exclaims: "Access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity."

I am trying to make simple yet important lifestyle changes as part of my contribution to a greener Earth:

• avoiding the use of bottled water,

• being mindful of the chemicals I use which might harm water supplies and

• only using the water I need.

I also take the issue into my prayer, holding up the sacredness of all life and praying that those who thirst will be given drink -- which, according to Jesus, is one of the most basic works of mercy.

(Sister Victoria is vice president for mission integration at Maria College in Albany.)[[In-content Ad]]