Rain's Pulse: Nature's Living Water

The World Day of Prayer for Creation began on September 1st and ends on October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The theme for the 2026 Season of Creation is "Living Water," with the symbol and focus on Immersion in Living Water.

People are often surprised when I tell them that I like the rain. As a child, I remember pressing my forehead to the window when the first raindrops would tap against the glass, soft as a lullaby; then I would watch the world blur as the rain fell harder. The scent of wet earth would rise, warm and sweet, wrapping around me like a familiar blanket; then came the thunder—deep, rolling, wild, and alive—shaking the air in a way that made my heart leap and made me pay attention to the deep voice in the sky telling me to listen. In those moments, I already sensed the healing nature of flowing water and I liked the feeling.

I arrived in Chicago for the ICCN program on August 20, 2026. Since arriving, I have enjoyed many rainy days in Chicago. One of those days was blessed with thunder and heavy rain. It reminded me of a similar experience I had in Toronto, shortly before coming to Chicago for the ICCN program, where it thundered and rained heavily and continuously throughout the entire day. Just when you thought it was over, the second act of thunder and rain would begin. It was quite a show! Just like when I was a child, I couldn't help but be drawn to it - grateful that I could spend most of my day by the window in admiration, watching it all develop and unravel as nature was being immersed in water.

But the best part was the day that followed: it was the most glorious sunny and refreshing day where everything looked and smelled so vibrant and alive. The colours of every flower and tree were radiant and sparkling. The birds were singing louder and clearer. Creation was alive, happy, and feeling good, SHOUTING PRAISE to God!  My heart was overflowing with hope and possibility and gratitude for the grace of awareness and attentiveness to this encounter with creation.

It reminded me of how good it feels to take a shower, especially after a difficult edgy day that seems to press from all sides. On these days, taking a shower becomes a refuge where the water loosens the knots of the day, softens the sharpness of thoughts, and carries away exhaustion and the weight of unspoken worries.

It is a quiet reminder that renewal is simple and that comfort is found in something as ordinary as water running over my skin. The running water provides renewal and comfort. It turns me into someone calmer, lighter, and ready to face the world again, feeling reset by leaving the day's heaviness behind and leaving only the soft hum of peace and hope in its place - much like the peace and hope that nature is left with after a rainfall, as was revealed to me that day.

I too find myself starting over again, leaving my religious community in Toronto and learning to live in my new ICCN community of women, belonging to different religious congregations—a new city, new people, new relationships, and new ways of doing things. Despite the storms that occur during this time of change and transition, this time of starting over is also filled with hope, possibility, energy, and new life.

One of my favourite Scripture passages is that of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4: 4-14). This encounter of prophetic dialogue at the well with the woman from Samaria shows Jesus gently revealing that He knows about her difficult past and her past marital relationships. Instead of shaming her, He offers her dignity, truth, and grace.  When the disciples return, the woman leaves her heavy water jar at the well and runs back into the town. The fact that she leaves her jar behind makes me consider that, because of this encounter, her priorities have changed. It is almost like a sign that she is leaving her past, who she was, and her secrets behind (basically leaving all her baggage behind) and is starting over. She no longer avoids people. Instead, she uses her voice to invite them to come and meet Jesus. Her testimony shows that her new life has purpose and freedom. What Jesus offers this Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well is the gift of living water and, as a result, she starts over with courage.

When Jesus spoke of Himself as the LIVING WATER, He revealed that He quenches the deep thirst in our soul that nothing else can satisfy - our longing for peace, purpose, forgiveness, and love. His grace flows freely, refreshing weary hearts, washing away the old, the despair, the darkness, and bringing new life. No matter our past or present struggles, His LIVING WATER is available to us - pure, abundant, and eternal. It never runs dry. LIVING WATER that is transformation, life, healing, ongoing spiritual sustenance, renewal, restoration, and continual replenishment.

I can relate to the Samaritan woman in my own past life. When I got lost in earthly pursuits and relationships which left my heart perpetually empty and "thirsty", it was my returning to the Father as a prodigal daughter and being given the grace of courage to open my heart to accept Jesus as my living water, that allowed me to start over and reset my life with purpose and freedom. Jesus’ gift of living water offered new beginnings and fresh graces for me as it did for the Samaritan woman. I am grateful for the gift of renewal found in Jesus Christ, our Living Water.

In John 7:37-39, Jesus proclaims that whoever believes in Him will have "rivers of living water", of life flowing from within, which the apostle John identifies as the Holy Spirit, all in and through Jesus Christ, in God. “Living” because God is active and continually shaping and changing us with the continuous and renewing work of the Holy Spirit.

I see God not just in the warm sunshine and the pretty flowers, but also in the thunder and rain - in flowing water that moves and re-energizes. I find HOPE in Creation's continual movement towards STARTING OVER and leaving the rest behind, just like the Samaritan woman who leaves her water jar behind and begins a new life. Despite the dark clouds, thunder and rain in our own lives, there is hope of starting over because of God's abundant mercy and extravagant love for us. I am grateful for this gift revealed to me through Creation after every rainfall, of God's great mercy and love for us and all of Creation!

So next time you hear that it's going to rain, don't fret but REJOICE for the gift being offered to nature to reset and start over is the gift offered to us through Jesus, our living water.

What do you hear Creation saying to you?

Sister Sandy Lima

Novice Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto