Bernard of Clairvaux famously argued that Christians should be reservoirs, not canals. The contrast is vivid and direct.
The one image suggests a fixed stream, without a living source, stagnant, and self-contained. The other image conjures up images of a resource with deep, living origins, a place to which others are drawn.
I plan to reflect a bit on the spiritual implications of Bernard’s images, but for now, an invitation to ask yourself this:
In what ways is your life a canal?
In what ways is it a reservoir?
Deep and abiding questions. Not casually answered by anyone, I hope.