2/8/08

A Reflection on John 7:37-39

Back in our home about ten years ago, we had the problem of the lack of water. We had to buy water from dealers who sold it at P5.00 per container. Our community is somehow used to this situation. But we just couldn’t do something to remind our local government to solve this problem by means of providing water system. What was ironic then was the news that some of our water resources would be sold to Cebu. Thus, some concerned citizens aired their objections during the public hearing.

This story is a very clear sign how essential water is. Thus, it is so necessary to conserve water. By this I remember a small add in the paper that says “water is life, save it.” There is real connection between water and life. And water is a symbol of life.

Today, we experience the increase of the market of bottled water. People need safe drinking water and the access to this water is becoming more and more commercialized. Thus, those who couldn’t afford the price would just have to settle down to what the government can provide, an inexpensive water from the tap.

Amidst all of these wants for a safe drinking water, could we still hear Jesus saying: “Come to me and drink.” But we may ask is this the water that we need today? Would the scarcity or the high cost of safe drinking water today urges us to seek for the life-giving and eternal source of water? Perhaps one may object that I am talking here of two different aspects of life, the physical and the spiritual. But no matter how different they would seem, they are still part the totality of our persons.

If we experience the scarcity of drinking water, are we not also experiencing the scarcity of life-giving structures in our society? If we seek for an adequate water sources, should we not also seek for the source of living water, Jesus Christ?

Our society could be compared to a drying land in which water is so insufficient. People are thirsting not just for drinking water. But our society is thirsting for justice, peace, solidarity, honesty, good governance, and more. To whom should we turn to if not to Jesus? Jesus invites us to come to him and drink. Now is the time to turn to Jesus. We have to let our society be satiated with living water. We have to let Jesus saturate in all sectors of our society so that our seemingly dying world may come back to life.

No comments: