The Third Way

“Fight or flight” was coined by American Psychologist Walter Cannon in 1915 to describe a natural response to a percieved enemy. Originally applied only to the animal world, these two ways are also used to describe how we human animals respond to threats. Simply put, when
backed into a corner we tend toward one or the other. Understandable. But, when “fight” or “flight” become our only options for any perceived threat, these “natural” ways will harm us rather than heal us. If unrestrained…

… the First Way will respond to any threat with a fist. Return evil for evil, abuse for abuse, until the scoreboard lights up in your favor.

… the Second Way will run from the fight. Tell yourself that cooperating with evil will work out in the end and that turning a blind eye is better than getting another a black one.

The soul (as well as the body) suffers when violence or passivity reigns. A Third Way is needed. It is needed wherever the struggle is with matters of justice and mercy, for ourselves and for those we love and champion. On a grand scale, it’s been practiced within nations, but it also works itself out in the common places of life: marriage, parenting, work, neighbors, even strangers.

During this Advent let’s take a four-week walk in the Third Way. Adventus.

Ecce advenit Dominator Dominus.
Behold, the Lord, the Ruler, is come.