Water is one of life\u2019s necessities. It is a natural gift; sometimes a gift taken for granted. The experiences of Awut\u2019s life story as told in the Tr\u00f3caire Lenten Campaign (2021) reveals the difficulty of life without water. Awut took her grandchildren into her care because their parents died in the war in Sudan.\u00a0 Awut recalls \u2018the painful trek to escape \u2018the terrible violence in South Sudan.\u2019\u00a0 As Awut and the family fled Sudan, they suffered from hunger and thirst. They acquired a patch of land from the local chief and with other people; they survived on wild fruits and greens.\u00a0 Life was difficult for the women and the girls in the war. Then Awut met Ajak and her family, while both tried to escape the violence in Sudan. They became friends and supported their families together. They tried to eke out an existence without shelter, food or access to clean water and healthcare. They are still struggling and need our help to survive each day. When people support the annual Tr\u00f3caire Lenten Campaign, they help families like Awut and Ajak\u2019s.<\/p>\n
In 2015, Pope Francis wrote a letter, Laudato Si\u2019<\/em> to every person in the world. The theme of the letter was \u2018on care for our common home\u2019. Pope Francis wants people to know how humankind exploits the planet by their lifestyle. He particularly speaks about water. He says \u2018fresh drinking water is an issue of primary importance, since it is indispensable for human life and for supporting terrestrial and aquatic systems\u2019 (no.27). Pope Francis is concerned about water poverty in Africa, including Sudan. He denounces the quality of water \u2018available to the poor\u2019 (no. 28). He names diseases such as \u2018dysentery and cholera\u2019 linked to \u2018inadequate hygiene and water supplies\u2019 (no. 28). The Pope addresses issues such as pollution and scarcity of water. He says, \u2018that the problem of water is partly an educational and cultural issue\u2019 (no. 30). During this Lenten season, one can hardly ignore this water crisis and the suffering caused to our brothers and sisters.<\/p>\n The readings today proclaimed at Mass explore the theme of water. Both readings relate to the theme of the water of Baptism, as Christians prepare for the Easter season. The first reading (Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12) portrays the vision of the river which starts from the Temple, where God is present. God reveals himself in the life giving power of the river as it flowed in different directions at different depths. The living water gives life to the seeds and plants. It gives life to the fish of the sea and life will abound in the flowing water. On the banks of the river, trees will produce fruit as their roots fill with water, flowing from the Temple. The prophet Ezekiel remarks, \u2018the fruit will be good to eat and the leaves will be medicinal.\u2019<\/p>\n The Gospel today (Jn 5:1-3. 5-16), tells the story of the man with paralysis that could not get into the pool to bathe. Jesus approached the man and asked him, \u2018Do you want to be healed?\u2019 The man told his plight to Jesus and Jesus healed him.<\/p>\n These stories remind us of the cleansing which takes place at the sacrament of Baptism. The priest pours water over the head of the person saying the words, \u2018I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.\u2019 At Baptism, the baptised person becomes a member of the Church and receives the gift of faith, symbolised by the light of the Baptismal candle. The priest blesses the person for baptism with oil, a symbol of strength. When the sponsors (in the case of an infant) respond to the Baptismal promises, the ear of the one baptised opens to the Baptismal call. This sacrament brings great joy to the Christian community for whom they pray with thanks.<\/p>\n VERITAS publications offers free online resources on the theme of Baptism throughout all the standards of the Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> Religious Education programme. These include the Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9 <\/em>e-book.<\/p>\n Logon<\/u> www.growinlove.ie<\/a><\/p>\n