On Being a Reservoir

St. Bernard of Clairvaux in his series of meditations On the Song of Songs likened the Spirit of Jesus Christ to waters that flow either through a canal or a reservoir.

“Those who are wise will see their lives 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 pours forth the overflow without loss to itself. ... Today there are many in the Church who act like canals, the reservoirs are far too rare. So urgent is the charity of those through whom the streams of heavenly doctrine flow to us that they want to pour it forth before they have been filled. They are more ready to speak than to listen, impatient to teach what they have not yet grasped, and full of presumption to govern others while they know not how to govern themselves. ...

The reservoir resembles the fountain that runs to form a stream or spreads to form a pool only when its waters are brimming over. ... You must imitate this process. First, be filled, and then control the outpouring. The charity that is benign and prudent does not flow outward until it abounds within.”

(This picture of Bull Run Reservoir in western Oregon was taken at the driest time of the year. Once the fall rains start, the reservoir will quickly rise back up to the treeline.)