Luke 24:13-35

According to Catholic Social Teaching, water is a human right that it is due to all people. It is not an economic commodity that can be owned and traded for profit. Access to water is a right to life issue.

In Laudato Si', Pope Francis recognised the insidious connection between poverty and access to water: ‘Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity'.

The use of water in the sacrament of baptism makes an ethical claim on Christians to save the water with which they celebrate salvation. Water, like grace, belongs to no one in particular but is freely given for the wellbeing of all. Whenever politics or economics block general access to this universal right, the order of nature and grace is upended.

The sacramental use of water calls on Christians to ensure uninhibited access to clean water for all God's creatures, that they may sip and be refreshed, dip and be renewed, and know the fullness of life offered to all by God who creates, redeems and transforms with this saving gift. Christians are ethically committed to save the water by which they celebrate salvation.