Sacramental Waters
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Everything is in some way sacramental. All depends on the receptiveness and openness of our hearts.
—John Chryssavgis, “The World of the Icon and Creation”
Father Richard writes of the soul of all creation:
I think of soul as anything’s ultimate meaning, which is held within. Soul is the blueprint inside of every living thing that tells it what it is and what it can become. When we meet anything at that level, we will respect, protect, and love it. Sadly, many human beings haven’t found their own blueprint or soul, so they cannot see it anywhere else.
My sense, after being a priest for over fifty years, is that we would have done much better to help Christians discover their souls instead of “save” them. It’s there of course, but it seems to be dormant or disconnected. They aren’t aware of the inherent truth, goodness, and beauty shining through everything.
Such connection and presence is as freely available as the air we breathe and the water we drink. This is surely why John the Baptist moved his initiation rite out of the temple, away from the priestly purity codes (of which he was well aware), and down by the riverside in the wilderness. Jesus “submitted” to this off-beat ritual, which we now call baptism. Yet now baptismal ceremonies are most often held in church buildings, usually disconnected from anything natural except the water itself. [1]
Theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim describes how water, used in the sacrament of baptism, connects us to God and all life:
Christians have a spiritual relationship with water. In the sacrament of baptism, water is necessary. As an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, baptism marks how one becomes part of the family of God….
Baptismal actions show a deeper understanding of who God is and how God connects with us in each and every day through water all around us…. God uses the waters of baptism to weave our whole selves into God’s own life, in gracious love and mercy. Baptism reminds us of water’s vitality for our world and teaches us to seek its lifegiving, cleansing, and refreshing gift. Water is essential for life on Earth and in the “kin-dom” of God….
The sacrament of baptism becomes a symbol that all water is sacred, not just the water present in the baptismal font. Because it is sacred, we need to honor water, take care of water, and treat it with holiness, reverence, and love. Through the baptismal waters we begin a faith journey that awakens us to the beauty of Earth and all of God’s creation. We learn that we human beings belong to a community connected to one another through water. We are all made of water and sustained by water. The waters of baptism run through the creeks, rivers, lakes, and oceans of the world, providing life to all living things. Baptism connects Christians to all living things in water’s cleansing flows. [2]
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Sarah Young
Jesus Calling: November 13th
I AM CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of Glory. The One who walks beside you, holding you by your hand, is the same One who lives within you. This is a deep, unfathomable mystery. You and I are intertwined in an intimacy involving every fiber of your being. The Light of My Presence shines within you, as well as upon you. I am in you, and you are in Me; therefore, nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from Me!
As you sit quietly in My Presence, your awareness of My Life within you is heightened. This produces the Joy of the Lord, which is your strength. I, the God of hope, fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Me, so that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
Colossians 1:27 (NLT)
27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
Additional insight regarding Colossians 1:26-27: Through Christ, God’s “message” was made open to all. God’s secret plan is “Christ lives in you” – God planned to have his Son, Jesus Christ, live in the hearts of all who believe in him – even Gentiles like the Colossians. Do you know Christ? He is not hidden if you will come to him.
Isaiah 42:6 (NIV)
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
Additional insight regarding Isaiah 42:6-7: Part of Christ’s mission on earth was to demonstrate God’s righteousness and to be a light for the Gentiles (to all nations). Through Christ, all people have the opportunity to share in his mission. God calls us to be servants of his Son, demonstrating God’s righteousness and bringing his light. What a rare privilege it is to help the Messiah fulfill his mission! But we must seek his righteousness (Matthew 6:33) before we demonstrate it to others and let his light shine in us before we can be lights ourselves (Matthew 5:16; 2nd Corinthians 4:6).
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Additional insight regarding Nehemiah 8:9,10: The people wept openly when they heard God’s laws and realized how far they were from obeying them. But Ezra told them they should be filled with joy because the day was sacred. It was time to celebrate and to give gifts to those in need. A celebration is not to be self-centered. Ezra connected celebration with giving. This gave those in need an opportunity to celebrate as well. Often when we celebrate and give to others (even when we don’t feel like it), we are strengthened and filled with joy. Enter into celebrations that honor God, and allow Him to fill you with his joy.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
