Acqua Alta - Venezia

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." - Genesis 9:8-11

One of the distinguishing marks of Venice is its canals. The city itself is built in a lagoon, and the land under the historical city is actually a series of 122 small islands connected by a series of bridges. The Grand Canal snakes through the center of the city, providing the central means of transport through Venice. On any of these canals, whether small or wide, you can see a series of gondolas, vaporettos (water taxis), or personal boats. Actual land-based roads are tiny, circuitous, and frequently dead-end.

Apparently, Venice was first built in this precarious place as more and more people fled mainland barbarian invasions. Eventually, the city came to embrace its aquatic status and became a major player on the world stage by virtue of its incredible maritime endeavors, staging huge battles and becoming a powerful shipping port. To this day, Venetians seem more comfortable on water than on land.

Unfortunately, humans and cities were not exactly built for the water. In the approximately 1,000 years of Venice, the city has slowly and resolutely sunk into the sea. Also, being at the mouth of a river and on unsteady land, it is very vulnerable to high tide. This rising water, particularly the fast and exceptionally high type, is referred to as the acqua alta which means simply 'high water'. At these times, sirens sound and low-lying areas (especially those around San Marco) are generally vacated.

This frequent flooding hasn't seemed to deter the Venetians, but it does demonstrate the irrefutable power of the sea. The ancient Hebrews saw the ocean as the site of true primordial chaos, and even co-oped the words for sea from other cultures to refer to beasts and demons. Water is uncontrollable by humans, no matter how many boats and bridges they build, and no matter how we try to overcome it we find ourselves drawn to and threatened by it.

Perhaps because of the frequent flooding of my own hometown, I have never been completely comfortable with water. Especially at this time of the year, when spring thaw forces even the tiniest stream into a raging, dangerous river, I find myself frustrated and threatened by the inexorable force of rising water. I can't imagine the faith of Noah, closing himself into his likely very rickety boat, praying that God would keep those promises made. Thank goodness for Noah - and Venice, and also my own home - God does indeed keep promises.

God of all creation, you have promised never to destroy us. You have committed yourself to us and to all the things you have made. Remind us always of your faithfulness as we seek to be faithful to you, even in the face of rising water and impending danger. We pray these things in the name of your Son, Amen.