• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Theology of water

October 8, 2017
By Father Joseph Breighner
Filed Under: Commentary, Wit & Wisdom

A number of years ago, a Jewish friend told me an amazing story. One day, her little boy, who was about four years old at the time, said: “Mom, I remember living inside you. I remember falling asleep listening to your heart beat.”

Then he added: “And I loved it when you ate candy. Then all the water around me tasted sweet!”

I tell that story for a couple of reasons. In October, the month devoted especially to saying the rosary, I think of another Jewish mother, and another Jewish Son. I think it was sweet for Jesus inside the womb of Mary. Perhaps this is something else to meditate on while saying the rosary.

A second reason for telling the story is to remind us of the gift of water. Recently, a resident at Oak Crest told me a similarly remarkable story. She was scheduled to have surgery on her knee. As she was leaving her surgeon’s office, he said: “Drink water.”

The lady replied: “What do you mean? How much should I drink?”

He replied: “Try drinking four quarts of water a day.”

Needless to say, she was taken aback, but decided to try it.

She drank four quarts of water a day for 30 days, with remarkable results. First, the surgery on her knee was cancelled. She no longer had any pain in her knee. Next, she noticed that the pain in her arthritic hands was gone. She had suffered terribly from this pain. Now it too was gone.

Obviously, I’m not a medical professional. I can’t give medical advice. Please consult your doctor about drinking this much water each day.

But I am intrigued. I have increased the amount of water that I drink each day. And while too much of anything can cause a problem, I suspect most of us don’t drink enough water.

In recent months we have seen the destructive power of water, especially in Texas and then Florida. Yet, we are born in water. And we know that we can all live longer without food than without water.

Intriguing as well is the fact that water has such an important theological meaning. We Christians believe that in baptism we are born again of water and the Spirit. There is the cleansing aspect of water removing the stain of original sin. There is the life-giving aspect of water being the sign of the new life of grace. While there are many things that still sadly divide Christians from one another, baptism can at least be one thing that unites us.

I’ll never forget, in the early days of my priesthood, of pouring water over an infant’s head in baptism. Standing next to me was the big sister of the baby, and she whispered: “Father Joe, don’t forget to wash behind the ears.”

Science and religion both agree that water came before human life. They don’t always agree on how and when that life appeared.

On that point I would like to close with a quote from playwright Tom Stoppard, who went from atheism to belief: “I’ve always thought that the idea of God is absolutely preposterous, but more plausible than the alternative proposition that, given enough time, some green slime could write Shakespeare’s sonnets.”

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Father Joseph Breighner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Cupcakes with 2025 graduation toothpicks in them and a bowl of cookies

Our 31-hour Road Trip

St. Paul and discovering that sin is ‘missing the mark’

Six lit candles on a chocolate birthday cake

Making a birthday wish come true

Pilgrims of Hope: Walking the Way of St. Francis in the Year of Jubilee

The fisherman and the pharisee

| Recent Local News |

Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including pastor and associate pastors

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Double the learning: Dual enrollment provides college credit to high school students

St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School

Radio Interview: Exploring the Nicene Creed – Part Two

St. Clement Mary Hofbauer adapts to times, cultures as it celebrates 100th anniversary

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Movie Review: Superman
  • Judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order as part of class action lawsuit
  • Ukraine religious leaders issue ‘desperate cry’ to world to end Russia’s war
  • Pope Leo wears Chicago-made vestments to July 9 ‘care of creation’ Mass
  • Movie Review: Sorry, Baby
  • ICE deports Iowa parishioner to Guatemala homeland as supporters pray for his release
  • Come away and rest awhile
  • French woman hopes sharing mystical encounter with Minnesota Benedictine helps sainthood cause
  • Pope: Vatican still ready to host peace talks between Russia, Ukraine

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED