* By Prof. Mathew Koshy Punnackadu Text: Psalm 104:10–13, 24–25“You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
giving drink to every wild animal;
the wild asses quench their thirst.
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work…
O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.”
—Psalm 104:10–13, 24–25 Reflection Psalm 104 offers one of the most vibrant and poetic portrayals of God's relationship with creation. It invites us into a sacred vision where nature is not merely a backdrop to human life, but an intricate web of divine wisdom, life, and sustenance. The Psalmist sees God as the great choreographer of creation’s rhythm—the One who waters the mountains quenches the thirst of wild animals and fills the earth with abundance. This is not random or mechanical; it is intentional, beautiful, and harmonious. Water, in this sacred text, is not just a natural element—it is a divine gift. It flows in tune with the cosmic rhythm of God. From the mysterious depths of the sea to the heights of the mountain springs, water follows a graceful path that sustains all life. When the sun lifts water from the oceans into the sky, clouds form and ride the winds. These clouds meet the tree-clad mountains and shower rain upon them. The roots of the trees capture and store this precious gift, slowly releasing it into streams that dance down into the valleys. This year, we reflect on glacier preservation, a pressing sign of our changing climate and a call to stand with all creation in the struggle for life. Glaciers are known as the water towers of the world. Their slow melting sustains rivers, nourishes farmlands, and quenches the thirst of millions. Yet, today, these glaciers are vanishing at an alarming rate due to rising global temperatures. The glaciers' tears mirror the Earth's lament, melting under greed, negligence, and injustice. As the streams join and grow into rivers, they carry life to every corner—nourishing soil, sustaining wildlife, and quenching the thirst of all creatures. Where the rivers widen and slow, wetlands emerge in the plains—nature’s reservoirs. These low-lying regions absorb rain and gradually release water during drier periods, ensuring continuity in the water cycle. Every drop participates in this divine choreography, a cosmic dance that reflects God’s wisdom and generosity. But when humans disrupt this sacred rhythm—through deforestation, pollution, over-extraction, and climate change—we violate the integrity of God’s creation. The consequences are visible and painful. Where there once was abundance, there is no scarcity. Where streams once sang, rivers now run dry. Without water, there is no life—and the harmony of the cosmos is broken. Take, for instance, Cherrapunji, once famed as the wettest place on Earth. Despite its heavy rainfall, it now suffers from water scarcity. This paradox stems from poor water management, where rainwater quickly runs off steep slopes without being harvested. Deforestation has stripped the soil of its water-holding capacity, and the rains come in a brief, intense season, leaving months of dryness. Cherrapunji reminds us that even nature's blessings can be lost when we fail to live harmoniously with the Earth. Natural resources are seen as commodities in today’s capitalistic and globalised world, where everything is reduced to profit margins. Mountains are mined, forests are cleared, rivers are dammed, and wetlands are reclaimed—all in the name of development. The rhythm of water is violently interrupted for short-term gain. Resort mafias encroach into forests, disrupting wildlife habitats, and low-lying wetlands are filled for urban expansion, ignoring their crucial role in groundwater recharge and flood control. In this context, the church has a prophetic role. The church must be a moral compass, reminding humanity that water is not for sale—it is a sacred right of all creation. The Church of South India has demonstrated this conviction by supporting the Gadgil Commission, which recommended the protection of 1,600 km of the Western Ghats, a vital ecological region known as India’s water tower. Despite opposition from vested interests, the church stood with environmental groups, affirming that the Earth belongs to God, and its gifts must be preserved for future generations. The church must educate and mobilise communities to harvest rainwater, protect forests, preserve wetlands, and resist unsustainable urbanisation. Forests are the rightful homes of wild animals; plains are meant for humans and their livestock; wetlands are the abodes of aquatic life. This order, this rhythm, is not arbitrary—it is divine. Perhaps that is why God placed wild and even dangerous animals in forests—to teach humanity boundaries and to remind us that not every place is ours to conquer. To protect water is to protect life itself. It is to enter into the rhythm of the Creator and join the cosmic dance. Proclaim water sacred, protect sources, promote climate justice, practice eco-lifestyles, and partner with communities to heal God's creation and ensure water justice. In Psalm 104, we see God as the great Water-Giver, nourishing the land, satisfying every living creature, and delighting in creation. Lent calls us to return to this vision, to repent from our ecological sins, to reimagine our development, and to renew our participation in the cosmic dance of life—where water flows freely, justly, and joyfully. Let us weep with the melting glaciers, pray beside the drying wells, and act with courage, hope, and unity. This Lent, let our cry rise with the rivers:
“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) Questions for Discussion- In your local context, where have you witnessed the disruption of water's sacred rhythm—such as drying wells, polluted rivers, or vanishing wetlands—and how has this affected the community and the local ecosystem?
- How does your community treat water as a sacred gift or a mere commodity?
- What cultural, spiritual, or faith-based practices could help shift this mindset?
Ideas for Action- Start a church-led rainwater harvesting or wetland restoration project:
Encourage congregations or local communities to build rainwater harvesting systems or adopt nearby wetlands, reviving them through clean-up drives and community stewardship. - Organize a Water Justice Sunday during Lent:
Dedicate one Sunday to water justice—include themed prayers, testimonies, and a local river/well walk. Invite environmental activists and scientists to speak, and raise funds or awareness for protecting a nearby water source or glacier-affected community.
Resources https://csimkdecological.org/csi-church-formally-endorses-gadgil-report/ https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/csi-bishop-seeks-protection-of-ghats/article5360377.ece https://drmathewkoshy.com/water-is-the-right-of-all-living-being/ https://csimkdecological.org/resources/ | 
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