Reservoirs, Not Canals

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux is rapidly moving up my list of influential and inspiring people. His wisdom on how to live a life from within is like finding a cool spring of water in the wilderness.

I was introduced to him while reading The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard. This book is about the necessity of a well developed interior life, particularly in the lives of those engaged in the work of ministry.

Throughout the book Bernard’s name pops up over and over again. This is because he was a master of the interior life who learned to do all that he did in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say, he learned to live from his center, the place where Christ came to make his home. In doing so he discovered how true verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 really are.

Like any disciple of Jesus, when he discovered the secret of learning to live from a position of resting in Christ he didn’t try to keep it to himself, instead he sought to pass this wisdom along to any who would listen. Of his many wise words his comparison between life as a reservoir versus canal is probably the most memorable. It was a blessing to me, and I hope it is to you.

The man who is wise will see his life as more like a reservoir than a canal. The canal simultaneously pours out what it receives; the reservoir retains the water till it is filled, then discharges the overflow without loss to itself... Today there are many in the Church who act like canals, the reservoirs are far too rare... You, too, must learn to await this fullness before pouring out your gifts, do not try to be more generous than God.

― Bernard of Clairvaux, On the Song of Songs