We often pray for rain — or, no rain, when it suits us — expecting God to shower rain upon parched lands or withhold it until holidaying or picnicking is over. Either way, isn’t it difficult for God to please everyone, everywhere, simultaneously? Perhaps, that’s the only thing impossible for God.
Rain is one of the most refreshing Biblical images for two reasons: first, the context in which the Bible was written was agrarian and heavily dependent on rainfall. Second, the area was prone to drought and aridity. Thus, people fervently prayed for rain. When people dreaded rain deficit and prayed for sufficient rains, God’s giving or withholding of rain was interpreted as divine favour or disfavour, respectively. The timing of rain was crucial, too, with terms like “early/autumn” or “later/spring”. Jeremiah says: “Let’s revere God, who gives us the autumn rains and the spring rains at the proper time. God assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.”
Biblical rain-references are rooted in Palestinian climatic conditions when early “gentle rains” facilitated the sowing of seed, while heavy showers from November to February ensured growth and maturity of the crop with eventual harvesting, engendering happiness. Moses showers praise upon the Promised Land as: “a land of hills and valleys, watered by rain from the sky”, whose prosperity is measured by God’s giving “rain on the earth and… waters on the fields”. Sadly, we, God’s children, have turned all promised lands into unproductive wastelands.
My farmer friends in rural India have taught me to respect mother earth’s moods and rhythms, her periods of wetness and dryness. It’s surprising that such a storm is raised about toxic noodles, but little is done about poisons injected into the soil, the blatant deforestation for industrialisation, the suicides of farmers who toil, sweat and bleed for putting rice and wheat on our tables.
As the world observed World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17, we must ensure that Mother Nature is not ravaged for selfish ends. Ordinary measures like simple living, staying rooted in our soil, planting trees, saying “no” to plastics, conserving water, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives are extraordinarily “dharmic” besides being down-to-earth.
Whether we believe that God sends rain or rain comes down “naturally”, let’s be grateful for rain. God knows what’s good for us. And, should you go to a mandir, masjid, gurdwara or church to pray for rain, do not forget to carry your umbrella with you!
Francis Gonsalves is a professor of theology. He can be contacted at fragons@gmail.com
