Food for Thought

Jan 21, 2016

In an August 2015 radio interview about the corporal works of mercy, Msgr. John Kennedy, an official at the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, spoke of the significance of water in Scripture, particularly how it applies to giving water to the thirsty -– even in modern times.

"One thing we all understand is what it's like to be thirsty," he said.

When Jesus spoke of giving water to the thirsty, some 2000 years ago, he "recognized that in giving a person water who was thirsty was something more important. I would say critical really," said Msgr. Kennedy.

Though many parts of the world have access to clean water, there are still many that do not, particularly areas where poverty is rampant, said Msgr. Kennedy. And sadly, it's still a necessity these days and one that is "not out of date," he added.

"We know that water is essential for life," he said. "What we're saying in this commandment, to give water to people, is actually a commandment to say 'help people how to live, let's actually help each other out and give each other what we need to survive.'"