Ubiquitous Paradox
Director of Music &
Liturgy
~ Water is one of the symbols of our faith steeped in paradox. It is, in a way, our first home, all of us, in our mother’s womb, yet it is for some of us our death and tomb. While it cleans and purifies, it can also be the bearer of illness and disease. While in some places it is as common as rain or the seashore, in other places it is rarely seen in nature.
Water is, principally for the faithful, death and life simultaneously. If designed well, fonts in our churched remind us of womb and tomb, with the water itself prominent and obvious (see Built of Living Stones, 68). Where feasible – with a large enough font – many in practice today use immersion in the water as a fuller sign of death in Christ and rising with him to new life. From baptism the whole life of the faithful proceeds, sustained by eucharist and the other sacraments. It’s not only about washing away the stain of original sin, but so much more.
Water is what, sacramentally, makes us God’s people, each of us an adopted heir, baptized as priest, prophet, and king, raised by symbolic death to new life.
Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff or ministries on a rotating basis.
