Tactics of Redirection
This week we are presented with the concept of turning an act of aggression, a threat against our safety, our wellbeing, or our principles, into a favourable situation by gently deflecting, or rerouting the assault facing us. In the three articles below we find examples of this strategy.
First we have the story of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who most famously used the example of a three leafed shamrock to represent the trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Did you know, however, that St. Patrick was not Irish? He was born in Britannia but was captured by the Irish and forced to work for them, herding sheep. After his years of captivity, he studied and became a priest, and then a bishop, ultimately returning to Ireland to preach most patiently to his very captors.
The second reflection below comes to us in the form of a video where the poet and Anglican priest Malcom Guite holds us accountable for the words we choose to speak. In his poem "What If" he presents a picture whereby words uttered linger, remaining eternal. If words have such lasting power, are they not the best tool to redirect harmful, aggressive conversations into constructive, healing exchanges?
Lastly we have the lectionary notes again from the Lenten series put out by SALT. In this week's podcast we are shown the most incredible example of turning an act of aggression, into a symbol of hope and love. As Christians we have faith and hope in the salvation of our souls, because of the sacrifice Jesus made in being crucified. In so doing, a weapon of persecution has become revered as an emblem of God's promise of redemption for millions.
Defusing Aggression
The Gentle Shepherd
by SALT team | March 9, 2021
This month we once again have a day to celebrate the life and devotion of a saint. A young (not yet saint) Patrick was abducted and taken to Ireland from his home in Britannia — modern day Great Britain - forced to be a shepherd. He managed to gently turn his experience as a captive of herding sheep, into herding the people of Ireland towards Christianity.
The Outspoken Poet
from YouTube | June 2, 2016
This poem by the English poet, Anglican priest and University professor Malcom Guite, calls us to be conscious of the words we choose. In the face of conflict, are words not our first defence? How wonderful it would be if we could have the presence of mind, in the moment of a difficult situation, to gently veer towards a peaceful outcome, with kind and carefully selected words.
The Ultimate Redirection
by SALT team | March 9, 2021
Mathew Myer Boulton has gifted us with the fourth part of the Lenten series from SALT productions. In this instalment of the lectionary notes complementing the pod cast, he speaks to the power of gentle redirection of an aggressor's attack. This is most obviously seen in the transformation of the roman torture tool — the cross of the crucifixion — becoming a symbol of hope and love to Christians.
Living Our Faith Day-to-Day
P.I.E. Day
The first Anniversary of the Pandemic this Sunday March 14. In the United Church of Canada, it is also P.I.E. Day.
Please see the video above from Moderator Richard Bott. We are not only grieving the upheaval of the pandemic this Sunday but we are also celebrating that we are part of a denomination that promotes inclusion in Public, Intentional and Explicit ways.