A matter of tinder and trigger

A TINDER is any dry, flammable material, such as wood or

paper, that is used for lighting a fire or to keep the fire going. A

trigger as a noun is a small device that releases a spring or catch

and so sets off a mechanism, especially in order to fire a gun. As a

verb, it can mean to cause an event or situation to happen or exist.

            In our spiritual life or in our relationship with God and

with everybody else that should be properly marked by love, we always

need a tinder and a trigger to start, develop that love and keep it

going.

            As St. James recommended this in his letter, “Is anyone

among you in trouble? Let him pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing

songs of praise.” (5,13)

            Our love should be burning, ardent, fervent, and abidingly

so. But our human condition is such that we often find ourselves

running out of gas and energy in this department. We easily fall into

complacency and lukewarmness if not a complete death of love. And

instead, we can wallow in anger, hatred, jealousy, self-love, etc.,

and then fall into the pit of nihilism.

            We should be wary of this condition of ours and be

prepared always to tackle it properly. This is where we need some

tinder and trigger to keep our love ablaze. We have to know which

tinder and trigger is proper to use when we encounter the different

predicaments of our life.

            These predicaments and situations can be those of sadness,

frustrations, failures, despair, tiredness, boredom, or the other

extreme when we would be blown high to excitement and pleasure that

numbs us from our duty to love and entrap us into the grip of

self-indulgence and ego-tripping.

            Of course, everyone is unique and would have his

distinctive tinder and trigger. So, it would be nice if everyone gets

to study this issue and find his appropriate devices. It could be some

aspiration, a look at a ‘stampita’ or crucifix, a visit to the Blessed

Sacrament or a particular shrine. It could be a song, a poem, an

essay. Or it could just be seeing a particular friend.

            It would also be good if everybody helps everybody else in

this matter. In this regard, it might be helpful also to identify

situations that can trigger the loss of the presence of God or the

fervor of piety that we are supposed to have. We have to learn how to

avoid them.

            We cannot deny that there also are tinders and triggers

that can lead us to lukewarmness and complacency. These can be

attachments to some materials and earthly affairs and concerns, like

our gadgets, the social media, fashion, hobbies, sports, etc. These

can be moments of laziness and idleness. Or it can be feelings of

insecurity or guilt because of one’s failures or sins. These usually

create a slippery slope.

            I know of some people who would put a little crucifix on

the table where they work so they can have at least some presence of

God, or be reminded always of what Christ went through just to save

us, etc., etc. Yes, we need human devices.

            Others, like myself, sing some appropriate songs in our

mind. Since songs have the effect of immediately touching the heart

without being too cerebral, they are effective as tinders and

triggers. They have some relieving effect.

            Still others make use of pictures of family, or other

images that soothe the mind and heart and lead them to their proper

state. They surround themselves with these images in the places where

they spend most of the time. It is always good to have an instant

clutch of tinders and triggers before things develop from bad to

worse.