COLUMN: Grey Matters – Unjust systems

“God is not simply attempting to rescue individuals from their sufferings at the hands of an unjust system, but to transform the system so as to make and keep human life more human.” -Walter Wink

Today I start with a special update on a Middle East politician, whom Prime Minister Carney would consider a middle power. A politician that as March moves along is being talked about more. An astute politician, who likes to work the middle ground in government policy. He is a special envoy to the Middle East who has come under incredible stress and pressure. He moved from his home in a comfortable and affluent part of the world to represent the Western Powers in an inhospitable and hostile land, where people speak a different language. Things are vastly different there. He was hoping he could keep things quiet in the region, prevent trouble, present a good front to the people back home. He had hope that no major disaster would blow up while he completes his term there. That person – is Pontius Pilate.

Easter of 2026 dawns on April 5, shadowed by turmoil in the Middle East. Has the world changed? When shall we grasp that the violence of empires and nations births only more violence? When Jesus was led into Pilate’s palace courtyard, the stage was set for humanity’s great courtroom. Powers of the world, faith, and fear gathered in the cloak of night. Once, Jesus sweated in the garden, hesitant and burdened; now, unwavering, he stands ready to unveil a new path.

The world’s way is oft a choice of fight or flight. We witness this as Jewish leaders thrust Jesus before Pilate, stirring crowds to cry, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ We witness Pilate, perplexed and reluctant, seeking to evade responsibility. Yet Jesus offers a third way – a path that confronts evil without feeding its destruction.

Walter Wink, in his book Jesus and Nonviolence, reveals how Jesus gifts the world a better way than fight or flight:

• Seize the moral initiative

• Find a creative alternative to violence

• Assert your own humanity and dignity

• Stand your ground

• Force the powers into decisions unprepared for

• Recognize your own power

• Choose to suffer rather than retaliate

• Cause the oppressor to see you anew

• Deny the oppressor a stage for force

• Accept the penalty for breaking unjust laws

• Die to the fear of the old order and its rules

Jesus embodied these truths on the road to the cross. It was no easy journey but forged through deep resolve and preparation it was done for us. Too often, we rush to fight or flee, neglecting reflection with God and others that might birth better options. We react with bitterness instead of recreate with grace.

Examples abound: in Saskatchewan, nurses weary of a doctor’s scorn devised a quiet rebellion – calling each other over the PA to the room where he belittled one of their own. They simply linked arms to block his exit. No words were needed; the message was clear, and transformation followed! A boy, plagued by sinusitis and a bus bully, turned his weakness into strength – offering a snot-smeared hand to the bully with a bold, ‘I’ve always wanted to shake the hand of a real bully.’ The bully never bothered him again.

It takes time and courage, but may we consider Jesus’ third way over the usual fight or flight reactions of our world. There is much more good to do along that path.

Gary Dyck is a chaplain and spiritual care provider at a hospital and personal care home in the Southeast.