Surrounded by the ocean, and full of rivers and lakes, life on Vancouver Island is intimately connected to the water that nourishes it. Water sustains our communities, provides food, enables travel, refreshes our bodies, and renews our spirits. For us in the Diocese of Victoria, water is not just a resource—it is a profound gift from God.
Life-Giving Waters in Scripture
Throughout Scripture, water is a symbol of life, cleansing, and renewal. In the opening pages of Genesis, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2), and from these waters, creation springs forth. Jesus spoke of living water that quenches the deepest thirst of the human heart (John 4:10–14). In the sacrament of baptism, water washes away sin and brings new life in Christ, reminding us that God’s grace flows into every corner of our lives.
This year, as we continue to celebrate the Season of Creation until October 4, let us return to Pope Leo XIV invitation to reflect on the theme “Seeds of Peace and Hope.” Just as a tiny seed buried in the earth can break through and grow into life, water—whether a trickling stream or the vast ocean—carries the potential for renewal and transformation. Life continues to pour forth in fruitful gardens, returning salmon, or tree canopies in a forest. These are living reminders of God’s promise that life, hope, and peace can emerge even in places that seem barren or desolate.
Water as a Human Right
While we reflect on the beauty and sacredness of water, we must also remember that access to clean, safe drinking water remains a pressing social justice issue in Canada. As of August 31, 2025, there are 37 Drinking Water Advisories across 31 First Nation communities in British Columbia. Some communities have been forced to boil all their drinking water for nearly thirty years. Entire generations have grown up without access to safe tap water. This lack of access is a violation of the UN-recognized human right to water and sanitation.
As people of faith, we are called not only to care for God’s creation but also to advocate for justice. We can raise awareness, support initiatives, and work with communities to ensure that all people—especially Indigenous communities—have access to clean, safe water. Caring for the environment touches more than just nature—it is an expression of solidarity, justice, and love for all peoples.
Transforming Deserts into Gardens
The prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s Spirit transforming deserts into fruitful fields, where justice, righteousness, and peace abound (Is 32:15–18). This is a vision that calls us to care for creation—not only for its beauty but as an act of justice. On Vancouver Island, we see this call in the protection of our rivers, oceans, and watersheds. Pollution, overfishing, and the loss of biodiversity threaten life itself. By protecting our waters, we ensure that ecosystems thrive, that animals and plants are nourished, and that future generations can drink, swim, and reflect in these sacred spaces.
Pope Francis originally called us to action, to be “protectors of God’s handiwork” (Laudato Si’, 217). Care for creation is not optional; it is an essential expression of our faith, justice, and love. Every small step—reducing waste, cleaning our rivers, restoring shorelines, and respecting aquatic life—plants a seed. Over time, these acts grow into abundance, producing fruits of peace, hope, and reconciliation.
As we continue in this Season of Creation, let us reflect on our waters as sacred gifts and channels of life. Let us sow seeds of hope in our rivers and oceans, caring for them as we would care for a child or a treasured friend. And let us trust that, in God’s grace, these seeds—like water flowing through our island—will bring forth new life, justice, and peace for all creation.
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