Water and Light Water and Light

Water is a sacred gift that Water is a sacred gift that connects all life. connects all life.

From the beginning God From the beginning God created light and from created light and from

out of the waters life… out of the waters life…

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And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be

gathered into one place, and let the dry land gathered into one place, and let the dry land

appear." And it was so. God called the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land

Earth, and the waters that were gathered together Earth, and the waters that were gathered together

he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

And God said: "Let there be lights in the dome of And God said: "Let there be lights in the dome of

the sky, to separate the day from the night…and the sky, to separate the day from the night…and

let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give

light upon the earth. And God said, “Let the waters light upon the earth. And God said, “Let the waters

bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let the bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let the

birds fly above the earth across the dome of the birds fly above the earth across the dome of the

sky.” sky.” Genesis 1:9-10;14-15;20Genesis 1:9-10;14-15;20

God brings water to the thirsty, God brings water to the thirsty, especially the poor… especially the poor…

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The afflicted and the needy seek water in The afflicted and the needy seek water in

vain, their tongues are parched with thirst. vain, their tongues are parched with thirst.

I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God

of Israel, will not forsake them. of Israel, will not forsake them.

I will open up rivers on the bare heights, I will open up rivers on the bare heights,

and fountains in the broad valleys; I will and fountains in the broad valleys; I will

turn the desert into a marshland, and the turn the desert into a marshland, and the

dry ground into springs of water.dry ground into springs of water.

Isaiah 41:17-18Isaiah 41:17-18

Jesus speaks of the living waters to Jesus speaks of the living waters to the woman at the well…the woman at the well…

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Everyone who drinks this water will be Everyone who drinks this water will be

thirsty again; but whoever drinks the thirsty again; but whoever drinks the

water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will never thirst; the

water I shall give will become in him a water I shall give will become in him a

spring of water welling up to eternal spring of water welling up to eternal

life." life."

John 4:13-14John 4:13-14

You are the light of the world… You are the light of the world…

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You are the light of the world. A city You are the light of the world. A city

set on a mountain cannot be hidden. set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then Nor do they light a lamp and then

put it under a bushel basket; it is set put it under a bushel basket; it is set

on a lamp stand, where it gives light on a lamp stand, where it gives light

to all in the house. Just so, your light to all in the house. Just so, your light

must shine before others, that they must shine before others, that they

may see your good deeds and may see your good deeds and

glorify your heavenly Father. glorify your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:14-16Matthew 5:14-16

A Call to Care for CreationA Call to Care for Creation

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We show our respect for the Creator by our We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of the creation. Care for the stewardship of the creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all God’s creation. faith in relationship with all God’s creation. This environmental challenge has This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored. that cannot be ignored.

““Sharing Catholic Social Teaching” Sharing Catholic Social Teaching” U.S.Catholic BishopsU.S.Catholic Bishops

The water we use, the water The water we use, the water that surrounds and connects that surrounds and connects

us is a sacred gift.us is a sacred gift.

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Be a light to the world in the Be a light to the world in the

way you care for the earth and way you care for the earth and

for one another. for one another.