Mumbai is called the “City of Dreams” My family and I wandered around the Mumbai city last December. Closer to the sea we were clicking pictures of the Gateway of Mumbai, but we were struggling to breathe because of the bad smell coming from the water. The water was polluted by human throwing garbage and plastic rubbles, etc. Later in the evening we went to the famous Juhu Beach to witness the sunset but the beach was drastically dirtied by people. We were couldn’t stay there for five minutes as it was entirely polluted. The Ocean was being swamped with pollutants. The look was pathetic as it showcased the degrading of our health, environment, and economy.
Water symbolizes life in the Bible; Old Testament laws state that water was used for spiritual cleansing, for instances such as in ritual bathing, which signifies spiritual purification. In the New Testament Christ is considered as the source of living water.
Environmental activists say many rivers across India have become dirtier as the country's economy develops, with city sewage, farming pesticides and industrial effluents freely flowing into waterways despite laws against polluting the water bodies. Many organization and people are voluntarily working to clean the beach, seas and rivers. It recognizes that there is no “away” to flush their crap to; there is no “away” to bury their crap. When we talk about throwing something “away”- “away” to where?
Further, it is not only an attack on human beings alone but also an attack against the entire creation itself. Thus the world which was given to the humans to nurture and also to take care of according to the genesis creation narrative is now being raped and killed by the humans. This act would even make God to be regretful for bestowing the responsibility to humans as the care takers of this good creation. Thus by these actions we spoil the gifts of nature and species in the water.
Romans 8: 19-20 Paul in this passage has brought out the essence exploitation of co-creations and the eschatological hope of creations. Our disobedience prevents the natural order from achieving its goal. As recorded in Isaiah 24, that the earth suffers because of human transgression. “Love God, love your neighbor,” it is the most important commandment. Water is a gift of God, vulnerable to abuse, mismanagement and pollution. All of these elements threaten human survival and the ecosystem at large. At a base level, all of this can add to and support not only the theological voice rather from that’s been done around water justice, in terms of what we are returning to the earth, because the better you work, the better you receive! I like to say, “I care a lot about water justice, because water is the basic essential need for all human kind as well as all creatures in the world. Just the other end of it.” I think it’s just as important to have the willingness to take a look at what’s coming out of you.
Prayer
Gracious heavenly father, Lord God our Creator. We have set waste the good earth you have prepared. We are exploiting all the creation and polluting the whole environment. Make us hungry now for generosity and balance. Make us brave enough to choose more wisely for the future of the earth and water through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Author: Edith Karishma Martin
About the Author: Edith hails from Jabalpur Madhya Pradesh. She belongs to Church of North India Jabalpur Diocese. She completed her Bachelor of Divinity from Bishop’s college, Kolkata. She worked as an Administrative Assistant in CNI. Presently, She is pursuing Master of Theology in the department of Christian Education from United Theological College, Bangalore.
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