One of the primary symbols in our liturgy is water. This is also one of the most basic elements in life. Water is essential to all human life. Ninety percent of our bodies are made of water. Water is also a powerful agent of destruction. We have had ample evidence of that just this summer in the floods in the area. Anyone who has almost drowned knows of the destructiveness of water. However the absence of water is also destructive. We need water to survive while that same water possesses the ability to kill us. It is these contradictory experiences with water that we experience in baptism.

In the waters of baptism we are born to a new life of grace, the waters are used to cleanse our souls. It is also symbolic of our death with Jesus. As St. Paul says: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3)

Water is also used in blessings. We bless ourselves with holy water upon entering the church. This reminds us of our baptism. Blessings with water are also symbolic of warding off evil

Water! Not just something that comes out of the faucet — think about all the ways water is a part of your physical and liturgical life.