I’m standing at the sink washing my hands for what seems like – and may just be – the thirtieth time today. It seems strange now, that the most important thing we can do to care for ourselves and those we love is this simple act of washing our hands in running water.
Water is a powerful sign and symbol for us as followers of Christ today. Imagine how much more it must have been to the desert people of Jesus’ time for whom water was so precious that it could not be wasted in washing; this is why oil was used instead. In this Easter season, water takes on an even greater meaning for us. From the water which is blessed at the lighting of the new fire, to the image of the Red Sea parted during the Exodus from Egypt, the Rite of Sprinkling as we renew our commitment to our faith and the water used in baptism as we welcome new sisters and brothers into the Christian life – all these remind us of the blessed and sacred water given to us by God.
I’ve spent much of my life around water. From years of teaching and coaching swimming, to managing pools and my time aboard a Navy ship, I love being in and around water. So, the wonderful feel of the water surrounding me, holding me up, washing away the cares of the day as I dived into a pool is but a cherished memory as we learn to live in our “new normal.” For the time being, we miss other experiences as well: The simple act of dipping our fingers into the holy water font and blessing ourselves as we enter a church. Families sharing water and the joy of being together at the baptism of their child. And, the profound act of humility in washing of the feet as we began our Easter season this year.
But each time we sing the beloved song Be Not Afraid, we affirm that God is with us just as during the Exodus, “Though we pass through raging waters, we shall not drown.” We know, that in the words of the prophet, Isaiah “We shall draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.” We are called to trust in the goodness of our loving God, however challenging that can be at times – especially now. Perhaps every time we go to the sink to wash our hands, we can remind ourselves that this simple act is truly an act of faith. This is a time of thanks to God for the gift of water in our lives and a time to entrust our lives to the God who loves us. As we wash, we can recall that among the last words of Jesus from the cross were, “Father, I place my life in your hands.”
So, if we are tempted to paralysis by fear of the unknown, we can recall the healing power of the water in the pool at Bethsaida where Jesus healed the paralytic. If we feel life-less we can recall the great flood of life pouring forth from the limitless springs of living water. If we feel alone and isolated, we can remember the drink of water given to the alienated Samaritan woman at the well and know the gift of Christ himself who accompanies that gift.
As our own St. Francis de Sales reminds us: “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. What is anything in life compared to peace of soul?”
Until we can once again, dip our hands into the font as we enter a church, maybe we can take a moment and bless ourselves as we wash our hands. Let us remind ourselves of the peace, the joy, and the mercy of our loving God, gained for us in the death and resurrection of Christ as we celebrate this Easter season. May God’s gift of water be the sign of those realities in our lives.
Thank you, Lord for the Gift of Water. Thank you, Lord for the Gift of Life.
May God be Praised!
Fr. Doug Burns, OSFS
DeSales University
Instructor and Coordinator, Sports & Exercise Physiology
DeSales Weekly: https://oblates.squarespace.com/desales-weekly
DeSales Weekly Editor: Fr. Bill McCandless, OSFS
