A Tree, a Cress, and a Morsel: Mettle Maker #458 and Holy Eucharist for 5/18/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Mettle maker #458: A Tree, a Cress, and a Morsel

One of the things that makes American Rough ‘n’ Tumble different than other martial arts is that we embrace training breadth as well as depth. We think that:

  • Doing chores, like digging ditches, breaking horses, chopping wood, and so on, build functional strength.

  • Going outside, getting to know flora and fauna, learning to identify edible plants, and generally getting dirty, is tonic for the soul.

  • Reading and writing — particularly journaling — strengthen the mind.

  • Looking to the example of our early American frontier forebears, we believe that all of these things make you a better fighter — literally better at fighting, and also better able to discern when it’s appropriate to use, and not to use, your very dangerous skills.

Toward that end, I decided to go for a long walk the other day and make some new friends — to look for some unfamiliar plants and attempt to identify them (see photo set above).

I soon stumbled upon a tree I don’t recall encountering previously — the Big Tooth Aspen or Populus grandidentata. According to my sources, this tree only grows in Northern Virginia, but there it was down the street from my house, pretty as you please. The trunk resembles a Tulip Poplar, which is likely why it’s sometimes called “Canada Poplar.” Like poplar, the wood of the Big Tooth Aspen is soft, good only when you need something that can be easily carved and worked.

The second new plant I familiarized myself with is Lesser Swine Cress or Lepidium didymum. A member of the cabbage family, it lacks flavor, but is edible in a survival situation. Not surprising, given its name implies it’s good only fit for hogs.

Outdoor skills are martial arts practice, at least around these parts anyway. So put this sort of thing in your training journal!

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Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter 5/18/25 – Father Mitch 

Readings: Acts 14:21-27, Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13, Revelation 21:1-5a, John 13:31-33a, 34-35

John 13:31-33a, 34-35 World English Bible

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. 33 Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Brothers and sisters, just prior to the current scene, Jesus has identified who will betray him by saying that whoever takes the morsel of bread which he has dipped in the delicious juices of the plate will be his betrayer.  Judas accepts this choice bit of bread and Satan enters him.  According to the Expositor’s Greek Testament,

“[I}t is an ordinary Oriental custom for the host to offer such a tid-bit to any favoured guest; and we are rather entitled to see in the act the last appeal to Judas’ better feeling. The very mark Jesus chooses to single him out is one which on ordinary occasions was a mark of distinctive favour. At any rate he is thus all the more effectually screened from the others.”¹

The image is familiar.  Most of us have had the experience of using a piece of bread to sop up the delicious juice of a ribeye steak or some of the rich, salty gravy after Thanksgiving turkey.  Imagine, if you will, Jesus dipping that bread in the most delectable corner of his plate and, rather than taking it for himself, giving it to Judas as a gesture of honor and love.  And in return, Judas does not reflect.  His heart does not soften.  He is immune to second thoughts. He is as cold as a January headstone. Then we read that “having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.” (John 13:30).

The Greek word for “immediately” is euthys, and this is the same word used in the next verse.  We read, “When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.” 

Perhaps we should consider that this repetition, this rhythm, is not coincidental.  The immediate consequence of Judas’ lack of discernment is his final departure from Jesus’s company and movement into total darkness.  As we read in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness; and the darkness has not overcome it.”  The Greek word for “overcome” is katelaben, which is akin to grasp or wrestle. This is why John 1:5 is sometimes translated “comprehended” and other times “overcome.”  Perhaps we should read it as “and the darkness has not contended with it.” 

Judas has not contended with, or attempted to grasp, the gravity of the situation.  He is unaffected even by Jesus’ attempt to reach him with the loving gesture of the sopping morsel of bread. Jesus shines his light into Judas, and he does not comprehend it.  The consequences of his callousness are immediate –Judas moves out of the light and into the darkness.

In an opposite and opposing immediate movement, The Son of Man is glorified.  Knowing that Judas is going to betray him, Jesus nonetheless bestows upon him the honor and brotherly love of the choicest morsel of sopped bread from his plate.  Jesus treats Judas with the same decency and respect he treats all of the other disciples, even more so, right up until the time that Judas parts company and goes out into the dark.  Jesus’ makes a last ditch attempt to reach Judas, and the consequences of this selfless act are also immediate.  “The Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him.”

--------------------------------------------

 ¹ Expositor’s Greek Testament entry for John Chapter 13 accessed via www.biblehub.com available at https://biblehub.com/commentaries/egt/john/13.htm

Stones and Milestones: Mettle Maker #457 and Holy Eucharist for 5/11/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Mettle maker #457: Stones and Milestones

Milestone #1: Friday was the 16th anniversary of Heritage Arts. Huzzah! Seems like just yesterday my son was building the old website, we were struggling to find a venue and figure out how to run a non-profit martial arts club (we’re still working on that last bit). Ah, the memories! Here’s to 16 more years — but will I make it to 80 years old to see it? That’s the question…

Milestone #2: On Tuesday 5/6, three people tested for yellow bandana and passed — Alex, Gabe, and Olek. Three is the biggest testing class we’ve ever had at the club — a club record! Could we finally be hitting our stride? See photo set on the right.

Enough patting ourselves on the back — let’s get on the the mettle making!

Stones for Practical Strength

As often as humanly possible I finish every training session with a carrying exercise, preferably stones. There’s something about picking up rocks that’s just primal. If you haven’t watched them yet, I highly recommend all three of the stone lifting documentaries by Rogue Fitness: Stoneland, Fullsterkur, and Levantadores. If you watch any of those, you will want to pick up rocks. Guaranteed.

“The loaded carry does more to expand athletic qualities than any other single thing I’ve attempted in my career as a coach and athlete.” ~Dan John

Who is Dan John? He’s a former All-American discus thrower and a high-level, senior division competitor in Olympic lifting and Highland Games. He is the current holder of the American record in the Weight Pentathlon (which he set at age 47), a fitness coach, and a Fulbright Scholar who currently teaches religious studies at Columbia College of Missouri. In every way imaginable, he is a beast.

The Mysteries of Stones

There is something going on with stones, something more than meets the eye. I’m currently working on a documentary about the Petraenigma Stone which my son and I made back in 2020 and completed on Palm Sunday 2021 (see photo gallery left).

What is the Petraenigma Stone? Petraenigma is the word we made up for the stone. It is pronounced \pe-trə-‘nig-ma\ and it’s derived from the Greek pétrā (“rock” or “stone”) + aínigma (“riddle”). It is a stone monument topped with a brass plaque. Embodied in the Petraenigma are twelve concealed riddles and answers, all of which are revealed only to those who receive their black bandana in Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble.

The stone was made right before the transition from our old name (“Cabal Fang”) to our new name and way of doing things. The stone is both a work of art and a practical lifting stone. And it explains what we came to understand through the first 11 years of the martial and spiritual project now known as Heritage Arts — but it does so in an interactive, metaphoric way, through touch, poetry, and puzzle-solving.

Touch the stone and try to solve it. Then you will begin to see what the first 11 years of this project was like.

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Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter 5/11/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52, Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5, Revelation 7:9, 14b-17, John 10:27-30

Revelation 7:9, 14b-17

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. 14b Then one of the elders said to me, “These are those who came out of the great suffering.† They washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. 16 They will never be hungry or thirsty any more. The sun won’t beat on them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them and leads them to springs of life-giving waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

John 10: 27-30 World English Bible

Jesus answered them, 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

31 Therefore the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”

Last week I mentioned that over 1 billion Hindus and half a billion Buddhists consider Jesus an enlightened teacher, 1.9 billion Muslims believe that Jesus is a prophet and messenger of God, 9 million followers of the Baháʼí faith believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that even 21% of Jewish millennials believe that Jesus was God in human form.

Jesus’ message has spread so far and wide that he appears in the scriptures and traditions of the four most popular non-Christian religions.  Over 5 billion non-Christians today venerate Jesus.  If you add in professing Christians, that means that at least 4 out of 5 people on Earth – over 80% of the world’s population! – believe that Jesus is the moral teacher we should be turning to for guidance.

And that’s a miracle.  It simply defies all odds and all human logic that the 2,000 year-old moral directives of an itinerant preacher would come to dominate human morality.  That anyone could teach for just three years and transform the world forever is inconceivable. Unless of course Jesus is the Son of God, true God from true God, true light from true light, who came to earth on our behalf, died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.  Then it makes perfect sense.  Only God can do what God did.

The words from the Book of Revelation, which we read today, recorded shortly after the Resurrection, are true.  They are true yesterday, today, and tomorrow; they are true literally, metaphorically, and spiritually.  They are true in all places, in all times, and for all people. 

These words were true yesterday in the sense that they describe the Jews in our reading from Acts.  They were content to stand on the outside, observing the laws of the Torah, but they could not enter into communion with God.  They couldn’t take that next step and be held in his hands as a shepherd holds his sheep. 

The words of the Book of Revelation are true today in the sense that the overwhelming majority of the world’s people have heard God’s voice, and they are approaching the metaphorical Jerusalem, waiving their palm fronds.  But it’s not enough to just stand outside and wave.  This is true for many people.  Even Richard Dawkins, the outspoken atheist, admits to being a cultural Christian who supports Christian morality and customs.  But those who stand on the outside and wave – and let us pray most urgently – must take the next step and enter into communion with Christ. 

The words from the Book of Revelation are true yesterday, today, and yes, tomorrow also.  Jesus will return, and many will smile and wave from afar, even as many of different faiths do today.  Let us pray that we are all humble enough to do more than hear his voice, that we may truly be held eternally in his hands.

In order to fully make true the vision of the Book of Revelation which we read today, we must all follow him, like his sheep, into the city, and be baptized.  If we want to dwell with him and for him to dwell in us, we must follow the star to his Incarnation, gather at the manger where he lies, go with him to the river to be baptized, and eat the true food and true drink that are his body and blood.

———————————————————

† 7:14 or, oppression

Unity: Mettle Maker #456 and Holy Eucharist for 5/4/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Mettle maker #456: Unity

The shared theme of our recent updates is “UNITY.” After public debate and review by the board of Heritage Arts, Inc., we’re proud to announce that we have made some updates to the way things are done around these parts.

The first update is to our Student Pledge:

“To North, South, East and West we send our plea; that we may be blessed by our Creator and the Better Angels of our Nature; train with Sincerity, outside the influence of evil forces; and embody the virtues of Wonder, Sagacity, Frugality, Indomitability, and Fraternity. Ex Gladio Scientia. Ruh!”

We feel that this update shortens the pledge and puts it more in tune with our colonial vibe. But more importantly, it employs language that is more unifying for all our members. Onward and upward!

New Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble Bandana Rank Table

We also updated and unified the colored bandana rank system for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble program such that everyone, both distance and local learners, use the same colors.

And lastly, we affirmed that the distance and local training programs will continue to share the same trials (we call our rank exams “trials”).

We feel strongly that we must be as unified and equal as possible in the what we do.

And now, so that you won’t be disappointed by not getting any martial and/or fitness material for two weeks in a row…

Fight Ready Protocol

This has been become a training staple around these parts. Get there. See video below.

  1. Set watch, round timer, or a cell phone app for 18 rounds of :30/:15 (that’s 30 seconds of work and 15 seconds of rest) for a total of 13.5minutes.

  2. Start the timer and work your heavy bag with maximum power — no pacing yourself — for 6 rounds.

  3. Then work your grappling dummy for 6 rounds.

  4. Then work your floor bag for 6 rounds.

  5. If it’s too hard and you needed to take longer breaks, next time lengthen the breaks. If it’s too easy, shorten the breaks next time.

  6. Work this with dedication and you might eventually get fight ready — that is, able to fight nonstop for three, three-minute rounds with no breaks — 9 minutes straight (a fairly standard boxer’s test).

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Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter 5/4/25 – Father Mitch

 

Readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41, Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13, Rev 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

 

John 21:1-19 World English Bible

 

After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,† Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”

They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. 4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?”

They answered him, “No.”

6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. 7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits‡ away), dragging the net full of fish. 9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!”

None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead. 15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”

He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”

He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”

Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

 

 

Brothers and sisters, we are so filled with joy by the Holy Spirit that we want to share our joy with those who have not heard the Gospel.  But as we attempt to identify our target audience and get the message to those who are not a part of Christ’s church, we unconsciously split the world into two camps: the converted and the non-converted.  But as much as we might want to save unbelievers from the fires of hell, and rightly so, I would like to suggest that we un-simplify things for a moment or two.

As J. Warner Wallace has pointed out in his books and videos¹, over 1 billion Hindus consider Jesus either a revered guru, yogi, teacher, or even saint.  Half a billion Buddhists consider Jesus a revered teacher of one kind or another.  The Dali Llama, the world’s most prominent Buddhist leader, has called Jesus a Bodhisattva – a person who, in the Buddhist tradition, has delayed his Buddhahood and journey to nirvana in order to stay and minister to others. 

The world’s 1.9 billion Muslims believe that Jesus is a prophet and messenger of God who will sit beside God at the final judgment.  Over 9 million followers of the Baháʼí faith believe that Jesus is the Son of God, was born of a virgin, worked miracles, died on a cross, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven.  And finally, a 2017 survey of Jewish millennials born between 1984 and 1999 revealed that 21 percent of them believe Jesus was “God in human form who lived among people in the 1st century” and 42% of them celebrate Christmas.²

Jesus’ message has spread so far and wide that he appears in the scriptures and traditions of the four most popular non-Christian religions.  So powerful is Jesus’ message that over 5 billion non-Christians today venerate Jesus, even if they've never read a single paragraph of the Holy Bible.  If you add in professing Christians, that means that at least 4 out of 5 people on Earth – over 80% of the world’s population! – believe that Jesus is the moral teacher we should be turning to for guidance.  And that’s without even adding in all of atheists and agnostics who deeply respect the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Two thousand years after his short, 3-year preaching career and scandalous execution, the teachings of an obscure, itinerant preacher from a backwater town have found their way into almost every beating human heart.  If that isn’t a miracle, I don’t know what is!

Brothers and sisters, as we see in our readings today, Jesus died for Peter’s sake and then, as Jesus predicted, Peter died for the sake of Jesus’ Gospel.  St. Peter humbled himself before God and allowed himself to be carried, by donkey and wagon, by ship and by the hands of others, all over the world in order to do his work and feed Jesus sheep.  Jesus, it seems, picked the right man to be the rock of his church.

Blessed St. Peter!  Here is the man who, after promising to be steadfast, denies Jesus three times; who repents his weakness, affirms his love for Jesus three times, then defies the authorities.  Here is the man who, to feed Jesus’ lambs and sheep, follows Jesus to the cross. Here is the man who refuses even to be crucified upright in the manner of Christ, instead wishing to be hung head downwards.  It is as if his feet are longing to reach up and stride upon the broad sidewalks of heaven.  Here is the blessed St. Peter who started it all.  And now, look at where the Gospel stands!

† 21:2 or, Twin

‡ 21:8 200 cubits is about 100 yards or about 91 meters

¹ J. Warner Wallace, “Other Religions Point to Jesus,” YouTube, May 2, 2025, https://youtu.be/A_8CP74YFlg

² Ben Sales, “Jews for Jesus poll: 1/5 of Jewish millennials believe Christ was God,”  Jewish Times, November 1, 2017, https://www.timesofisrael.com/jews-for-jesus-poll-15-of-jewish-millennials-believe-christ-was-god


Intent is the Secret Sauce: Mettle Maker #455 and Holy Eucharist for 4/27/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Mettle maker #455: Intent is the secret sauce

EMAIL IS BACK UP: Thanks to everyone who offered help and gave insights on the problem, and thanks especially to my friend Kevin for remoting in to the rescue!

This is an update of Mettle Maker #178. The heart is the center, the core, where everything begins and ends. In martial arts, whether it’s martial sports or self-defense, heart is what ultimately determines the outcome. What is it, in your heart of hearts that you intend to do? Your attacker has an intent — the intent to extract pain and/or treasure from you. To hell with the treasure. But you need to have the intent to protect your loved ones, to protect yourself, and to get everyone home safely.

  • Form. Spend 15 minutes working on your form. How do you do that? Here are some ideas: break down a technique by practicing it slowly, get in front of a mirror and analyze your movement, practice a mettle drill with extreme exactness, etc.

  • Instinct. Spend 15 minutes working on your action and reaction. If you have a partner, work flow drills. If you’re flying solo, run flow drills with your heavy bag, grappling dummy, floor bag, etc.

  • Intent. Spend 15 minutes honing your intent with meditation. Intent is the secret sauce that makes everything you do open up like a flower. Think of a suitable phrase, about a dozen words, that embodies your intent. Pick a famous quote from your choice of wisdom literature — like “Be ye therefore perfect as your father, which is in heaven, is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) or “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Set a timer for 15 minutes and assume your meditative posture of choice. Mentally recite the first half of the phrase as you breathe in. Hesitate with lungs full and airway open as you mentally recite the second half of the phrase. Recite the first half as you breathe out. Hesitate with lungs empty and airway open as you mentally recite the second half of the phrase. This phrase, when split and used in this manner, will focus your mind and gently cycle you into box breathing. Repeat until the timer beeps.

  • Record. And, as always, record your results and thoughts in your training journal.

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All past or present participants in our programs are asked to please attend the Heritage Huddle on Monday, 4/28/25 at 8 PM ET. CLICK HERE to join the Google Meet. If you can’t make it, share your comments via email or comment below.

Agenda for April 28th Meeting

1. Should we update and shorten the Heritage Oath? The old oath from back in 2009 has generated some complaints (both in the past and more recently) on the basis that it is too long, has a kind of “new agey” tone, and doesn’t comport with Heritage Arts’ message and mission.. To address those concerns, I propose that it should be revised by light of the fact that Rough 'n' Tumble is America's martial art. Our oath should more fully echo and embody the words of America's founding documents and iconic leaders. It also needs to be abbreviated and made less objectionable.

Two Proposed Revisions:

1. "To North, South, East, and West we send our plea, that we may be blessed by our Creator and touched by the better angels of our nature, training with Sincerity and in true Liberty, embodying the virtues of Wonder, Sagacity, Frugality, Indomitability, and Fraternity. Ex Gladio Scientia*. Ruh!"

2. “Between North and South; East, and West we stand; we thank our Creator and call on the better angels of our nature, that we may learn with humility, teach with common sense, train with courage, and live together in true Liberty. Ex Gladio Scientia. Ruh!"

Original Oath:

"To North, South, East, and West, to our higher powers and better selves, we ask and send our blessings; that we may train with sincerity, outside the influence of evil forces, and successfully embody the five virtues of Heritage Rough 'n' Tumble: Wonder, Sagacity, Frugality, Indominability, and Fraternity. Willed, spoken, and done. Ex Gladio Scientia."

2. Two part question. A) What should we do about John Doe? B) Should we do away with the constitutional trial for distance learners, leaving it in place only for face-to-face clubs? For the first time in the club’s history, someone has “failed” the constitutional trial — a distance learner we’ll call John Doe.. Clearly I gave him a trial that was too hard. And on top of that, due to the complexity of the instructions, I think it’s possible that he tried to run it straight through without breaking it up into circuits or anything, and/or he was too proud to take sufficient breaks, which made it effectively impossible. If the trial had been administered face-to-face this could’ve been prevented. What do we do about John? It feels strange, and kind of a let-down, to just give him the Yellow bandana. I propose that we ask him to perform an additional one-off feat from this list of 25 options: 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 31, 36, 41, 45, 50, 63, 79 - 88, 98, and 100.

In addition, my feeling is that it's far too easy to misjudge someone's fitness level when relying upon just written training logs, and that we should do away with the constitutional trial for distance learners and require one of the 25 one-off feats listed above. Face to face administration of the trial provides proper supervision and prevents both disappointment and injury — judges and organizers can watch the person, force breaks, ensure safety, and prevent failure.

3. Should we unify and update the bandana rank colors? Technically, the bandana colors for distance learning are different from the ones awarded to guys who train face-to-face. At present, distance learning colors are bright and fraternal colors are muted (Yellow vs. Khaki, Blue vs. Navy, etc.). The highest distance learning rank is Black, and highest fraternal rank is Buffalo Check. For fairness, consistency, and to prevent confusion, I propose that we unify the colors so that everyone is the same: White, Yellow, Green, Blue, Red, Brown, and Black — and that the Buffalo Check bandana be awarded to Black Bandana members who start new clubs in their hometowns.

* Our Latin motto, Ex Gladio Scientia, means “From the Sword comes Knowledge.” It expresses our desire to learn about ourselves and the world through our study of martial arts, and it references the sword of discernment. In Hebrews 4:12 we read, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter 4/27/25 – Father Mitch

 

Readings: Acts 5:12-16, Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24, Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19, John 20:19-31

 

John 20:19-31 World English Bible

 

When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus,§ wasn’t with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me,† you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

30 Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

 

 

My favorite Western movie is called Bite the Bullet.  At one point in the film an impulsive young man rides his horse too hard.  With total lack of consideration for the animal’s wellbeing, he spurs the horse to its death.  The hero, played by the late, great Gene Hackman, tells the young rider to dig a hole and bury the animal with his bare hands.  Before he leaves, Hackman repeats the order and tells a witness to watch and make sure the young man accepts the punishment and completes the task – or else.  After Hackman leaves, the young man asks the witness if Hackman is serious. 

The witness replies, “Must be, he said it twice.” 

In our gospel reading today, Jesus says not twice, but three times, “Peace be with you.”  Jesus often repeats himself.  Repetition of phraseology has been a part of human discourse as far back as we have written proof.  Experts believe that repeated patterns and phrases originated as a way for storytellers to memorize and recite oral tales before the invention of writing.  But I believe the reverse is true: repetition helps the listener remember.  Even cave paintings have repeating motifs.  Advertising agencies know that the way to get customers is to expose viewers to the same words and jingles as many times as possible.  All of us have had the experience of humming a stupid jingle in spite of ourselves, I’m sure.  Repetition is a technique used by all leaders, coaches, and teachers worth their salt.  If you want people to remember an idea, you say it often, and you say it the same way every time.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus says three times, “Peace be with you.”  But why? 

Putting ourselves in the room, we can imagine the situation.  Jesus has not only risen from the dead and come to be with them inside a locked room – with the wounds of his crucifixion still visible! – he has come to give them authority within the church to forgive sins.  In the Jewish tradition, only God can forgive sins.  Imagine how shocking it must have been to see and hear all of this.  Shocked by the scene, and shocked by a new doctrine, it’s reasonable to assume that the disciples were filled with turmoil that needed to be quieted.  Perhaps that’s why he says “Peace be with you” three times.

And add to that what is happening with Doubting Thomas.  By appearing when Thomas is not present, Jesus has orchestrated a display to illustrate a point.  Doubting is natural, and doubting is good.  The disciples are encouraged to be skeptical, and rewarded for being so.  Jesus is teaching them to be at peace with skeptics who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God who rose from the dead after three days.  Jesus says, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

This culture is increasingly intolerant of Christian claims.  We often hear atheists say that God is an imaginary “invisible friend” or hear the Son of God referred to as “Zombie Jesus.” In this environment, it’s not easy for unbelievers to overcome skepticism and find faith. Nor is it easy for us as believers to push down feeling defensive or even offended.  But we should not allow things like this to perturb us.  We must follow Jesus’ example and be understanding with skeptics.  Jesus blesses doubt and blesses those who overcome it when he says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  Jesus is telling the disciples to be at peace with skepticism.  Does he mean it?  Is he serious?

He must be.  He said it three times.

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§ 20:24 or, Twin

† 20:29 TR adds “Thomas,”

For the Greater Good: Mettle Maker #454 and Holy Eucharist for Easter Sunday 4/20/25

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Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

Thanks to everyone who’s been praying for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark. The brain tumor she’s been dealing with is responding well to treatment, and a close call seems to have been avoided. God give her increasing health and strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #454: Sacrifice for the Greater Good

EMAIL IS DOWN: All email from mitch@heritageartsinc.com is bouncing due Dmarc issues. You can email us, but our replies may be blocked. We have a support ticket out with Squarespace. Please be patient with us as we work through the issues.

When I started Heritage Arts back in 2009, I had no idea what I was doing. I just started with the premise that martial arts, outdoor skills, and the quest for spiritual knowledge had changed my life for the better; and I wanted to give back to the world that had been so kind and forgiving with my mistakes by passing on for free what I had learned.

There’s a problem with that though. Not everybody needs to learn the same things I needed to learn when I started martial arts back in 1986. Sure, there’s some overlap. But everybody’s different. There are even some guys who already know most everything I had learn the hard way. And the really strange thing — the think I still can’t figure out — is that our programs seem to attract guys who have lots of rank and experience in Eastern martial arts styles.

Why’s that a problem? Well, it isn’t really a problem for anyone but me. Because I originally designed the program for complete beginners — for people who have the same issues I had back in ‘86. Remember, back then I was 80 lbs. overweight, I had zero discipline, almost no integrity, and no spiritual direction.

What do you do when you’ve designed a comprehensive mind-body-spirit martial arts and outdoor skills program, but people sign up who only want to participate because they like what the organization stands for? What if they just want to learn the martial arts, but not work on themselves spiritually? What if they don’t care about fitness? What if folks sign up who want certain things, but aren’t self-aware enough to know that they actually need something else entirely? And so on?

Well, what you do is sacrifice and adapt. Along the way there have been things that I liked that nobody else liked. There have been things that worked for me, but didn’t work for anyone else. I had to give up that stuff. Some of those sacrificial changes were painful. But they had to be sacrificed for the improvement of the charity and its programs. I had to sacrifice those things for the greater good. They were tiny little, subminiature crucifixions and resurrections — practical emulations of Christ’s sacrifice in worldly circumstances.

I consider it my sacred duty to properly provide the leadership and education that this charity, and all its participants, members, and supporters need. Jesus told Peter, if you love me, "feed my sheep." (John 21:17). I'm not here to give you what you want, I'm here to give you what you need. So my decisions will not always be agreeable to all. But I do want to listen. And I want everyone to understand any changes we make.

With all this in mind…

All past or present participants in our programs are asked to please attend the Heritage Huddle on Monday, 4/28/25 at 8 PM ET. CLICK HERE to join the Google Meet. If you can’t make it, share your comments via email or comment below.

Agenda for April 28th Meeting

1. Should we update and shorten the Heritage Oath? The old oath from back in 2009 has generated some complaints (both in the past and more recently) on the basis that it is too long, has a kind of “new agey” tone, and doesn’t comport with Heritage Arts’ message and mission.. To address those concerns, I propose that it should be revised by light of the fact that Rough 'n' Tumble is America's martial art. Our oath should more fully echo and embody the words of America's founding documents and iconic leaders. It also needs to be abbreviated and made less objectionable.

Proposed Revision:

"To North, South, East, and West we send our plea, that we may be blessed by our Creator and touched by the better angels of our nature, training with Sincerity and in true Liberty, embodying the virtues of Wonder, Sagacity, Frugality, Indomitability, and Fraternity. Ex Gladio Scientia*. Ruh!"

Original Oath:

"To North, South, East, and West, to our higher powers and better selves, we ask and send our blessings; that we may train with sincerity, outside the influence of evil forces, and successfully embody the five virtues of Heritage Rough 'n' Tumble: Wonder, Sagacity, Frugality, Indominability, and Fraternity. Willed, spoken, and done. Ex Gladio Scientia."

2. Two part question. A) What should we do about John Doe? B) Should we do away with the constitutional trial for distance learners, leaving it in place only for face-to-face clubs? For the first time in the club’s history, someone has “failed” the constitutional trial — a distance learner we’ll call John Doe.. Clearly I gave him a trial that was too hard. And on top of that, due to the complexity of the instructions, I think it’s possible that he tried to run it straight through without breaking it up into circuits or anything, and/or he was too proud to take sufficient breaks, which made it effectively impossible. If the trial had been administered face-to-face this could’ve been prevented. What do we do about John? It feels strange, and kind of a let-down, to just give him the Yellow bandana. I propose that we ask him to perform an additional one-off feat from this list of 25 options: 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 31, 36, 41, 45, 50, 63, 79 - 88, 98, and 100.

In addition, my feeling is that it's far too easy to misjudge someone's fitness level when relying upon just written training logs, and that we should do away with the constitutional trial for distance learners and require one of the 25 one-off feats listed above. Face to face administration of the trial provides proper supervision and prevents both disappointment and injury — judges and organizers can watch the person, force breaks, ensure safety, and prevent failure.

3. Should we unify and update the bandana rank colors? Technically, the bandana colors for distance learning are different from the ones awarded to guys who train face-to-face. At present, distance learning colors are bright and fraternal colors are muted (Yellow vs. Khaki, Blue vs. Navy, etc.). The highest distance learning rank is Black, and highest fraternal rank is Buffalo Check. For fairness, consistency, and to prevent confusion, I propose that we unify the colors so that everyone is the same: White, Yellow, Green, Blue, Red, Brown, and Black — and that the Buffalo Check bandana be awarded to Black Bandana members who start new clubs in their hometowns.

* Our Latin motto, Ex Gladio Scientia, means “From the Sword comes Knowledge.” It expresses our desire to learn about ourselves and the world through our study of martial arts, and it references the sword of discernment. In Hebrews 4:12 we read, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

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Homily for the Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday 4/20/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, Col 3:1-4, Sequence - Victimæ paschali laudes, John 20:1-9

John 20 1-9 World English Bible

1 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”

3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Brothers and sisters, today the world is forever turned upside down.  For all of human history since the sin of Adam and Eve, God and man had been separated by a great gulf.  But in Christ, God enters into the human experience and inseparably rejoins man to God.  The old order is reversed.

In every country that surrounded the Hebrews, kings were gods.  Pharoah was a man treated as a god, worshipped, revered, and entombed in a great pyramid.  In Babylon, the king was a mere man, treated as their god Marduk’s earthly manifestation.  In the Roman empire, the emperor was called the son of god.  And to many, in those days and even today, it’s easy to suppose that Christ is no different – a delusional or presumptuous man who claims to be God on earth.

The difference, brothers and sisters, is that when the Pharoah of Egypt died, he went into a tomb and was replaced by a different man, identical in title and function.  When the god-king of Babylon died, when Caesar died, the same occurred.  The cry always goes up, or a cry just like it: “The King is dead.  Long live the king.”  The king, the Prime Minister, the President, whatever the human title or position at hand, is semi-eternal.  It lasts only as long as the nation and its government lasts.  People behave as if it’s eternal, but in our heart of hearts, we all know it’s all temporary.  But not this new King, Jesus Christ.  He dies and returns.  This King rises from the dead.  This King comes back.  Something entirely unique has come to pass.

In Christ the world is forever turned upside down.   

Christ, as he approaches his Passion, is dressed up in a purple cloak.  A crown of thorns is placed upon his head.  He is mocked, beaten, and treated as if he is a false king.  This is great irony.  He is the true King.  In allowing himself to be mocked in silence, he reflects the mockery onto their earthly rulers.  When he rises from the dead on the third day, they discover that by mocking Christ, they have revealed their own foolishness and sin.  They have mocked themselves. 

Because, brothers and sisters, in Christ the world is forever turned upside down.

Rejoice, brothers and sisters, because there is a new way.  No more need we look to mortal men to save us.  No more are we separated from God by an impossible gulf.  Rejoice, because the old order has been broken.  Rejoice because in Christ we are saved.  Rejoice because in Christ we are joined to God, the sin of Adam and Eve has been undone, and because the world is forever turned upside down.

Injustice: Mettle Maker #453 and Holy Eucharist for Palm Sunday 4/13/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #453: Injustice

I’m happy to report that my brother in martial arts, Dave Durch, has emerged from the knife attack he suffered last year and is finally getting back to his old self again. I recommend every martial artist listen to what Dave has to say about what happened to him. There are plenty of lessons to be learned from Dave’s video. Here are a few:

  • “The system is for the criminal. End of story. Period.”

  • “I did everything to walk away. I believe in that. And it did not — it did not — work.”

  • “I felt no threat with this guy. It was almost like a joke to me.”

If I had to distill this down to just a couple of lessons — which would be a disservice to Dave and to his ordeal — the first one would be that as martial artists we have to be careful not to become so accustomed to fighting that we don’t feel the threat posed by unruly people. We might, as Dave did, view some some immature pipsqueak yelling obscenities as someone we can outfight with one hand tied behind our backs. And if he was fighting fair, we might be right. But if you put 12” blade in anybody’s hand, he or she becomes an angel of death.

The second lesson would be that injustice is ever-present. Don’t expect that anybody — you or the perpetrator! — will be treated fairly by the justice system. This ties into the gospel readings for today. Please read my homily below.

But there are more than just two lessons to be learned from Dave’s ordeal. So watch the video. Please.

Dave is super guy. At one point, back in the early 2000s, as I was deciding on taking a new path in the martial arts, I had narrowed my choices to a fork in the road. I was either going to branch off into Jeet Kune Do and study under Dave, or I was going to take a really hard left turn and start focusing on Western martial arts under Mark Hatmaker. In the end, I picked Mark. But I almost picked Dave.

I trained with Dave for many hours at Karate College back in 2004, earning a stick and knife certification from him (in the pick on right, he’s the one kneeling in black, and I’m the one kneeling in red). He had a profound effect on me. He inspired realism in my training. He inspired me to work harder. He was and is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ. And by way, Dave moves and fights like an alley cat. He’s maybe 5’6” tall. But if that dude had attacked him with a fist instead of a knife, he would’ve gotten shellacked.

If you’re in Warren, OH and you’re interested in learning JKD or Kali, you should consider training with Dave Durch. Dave is the real deal.

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for Palm Sunday 4/13/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Isa 50:4-7, Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24, Phil 2:6-11, Luke 23:1-49

Luke 23:1-49 World English Bible

The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

He answered him, “So you say.”

4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”

6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. 9 He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. 11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. 15 Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

17 Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.† 18 But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”— 19 one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.

20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, 21 but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

22 He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” 23 But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed. 24 Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done. 25 He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.

26 When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus. 27 A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’* 31 For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”

32 There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death. 33 When they came to the place that is called “The Skull”, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. 35 The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”

36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

38 An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

39 One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”

40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

44 It was now about the sixth hour,‡ and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.§ 45 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.

47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” 48 All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their chests. 49 All his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things.

 

Today Jesus enters Jerusalem and truly begins his healing work. Up to this point, he has performed wondrous healings in numbers never before seen in this world.  He has healed individual ailments, and plenty of them – every infirmity, from lameness to blindness – and has cast out demons.  He has even, on three occasions, raised the dead to life.¹  But those were the healings of individuals.  What we are about to witness is something else entirely.  This is healing on a scale unheard of.  This is a healing beyond even our imagination.

Today, brothers and sisters, Jesus enters not just into personal infirmity but into social dysfunction.  Everything in this entire scene is broken.  It begins with the false accusation that he has been “perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”  This is just the sort of lying and distortion we always undertake when we disingenuously want to sway others to our way of thinking.  We know that, far from perverting the nation, Jesus was attempting to inspire and inform it.  We know for a fact that Jesus advised the people to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and things of God unto God.  And we know for a fact that Jesus never claimed to be an earthly king.

From there the chaos and unpredictability only intensify.  Everything is either broken or upside down.  Pilate and Herod, neither one famous for their patience and even handedness, do the opposite of what we might expect.  They find Jesus unworthy of a death sentence.  But the people call out for the release of Barabbas, a real criminal and insurrectionist.  And then Pilate does the opposite of that government is supposed to do.  Instead of holding the line of right and wrong, he caves in to the pressure, reverses his original sentence, and gives the people what they want.  He condemns the innocent Jesus and releases the truly guilty man.

The entire culture is crooked and broken.  From the bottom to the top, from the citizens all the way up through the justice system, all the way up to King Herod, this system is poisoned and corrupt.  Up to this point in the gospels we have seen plenty of individual sin.  Certainly we are seeing more of that.  But now, layered on top of human failing, we see what happens to our social systems when our sins corrupt the collective: mob mentality, weak officials, and rampant injustice.

But Jesus has come.  He is the calm, immovable, and perfect center; the patient, incorruptible force that is unmoved by the maelstrom of catastrophic failings that swirl around him.  By his grace, in the midst of this disastrous set of circumstances, decency and love emerge.  A thief sees him for what he is and receives entry into paradise.  A centurion charged with carrying out Jesus’ unjust sentence repents and accepts him as the Son of God.  He is the way, truth, and life. Through him, criminals are rehabilitated, and corrupt officials are reformed. He demonstrates how he heals societies – not from the top down by force as an earthly kings might attempt to do – but as a savior, from the ground up.  From within the heart and soul. 

And soon, by the mystery of his Resurrection, Jesus will demonstrate his ability to heal more than individuals, and even more even than societies.  He will demonstrate his plan for healing the fallen universe itself.

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† 23:17 NU omits verse 17.

* 23:30 Hosea 10:8

‡ 23:44 Time was counted from sunrise, so the sixth hour was about noon.

§ 23:44 3:00 p.m.

¹ The daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Nain, and Lazarus.

Edible! Mettle Maker #452 and Holy Eucharist for 4/6/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #452: EDIBLE!

Spring is here, and the time is right for foraging practice. It’s highly advised that you take a class from an experienced primitive skills instructor. But if you insist on going it alone, be sure to take the following precautions before you eat a plant you have harvested from the wild:

BEfore Eating a Wild Plant

  • Don’t try to eat wild mushrooms for survival. They’re low in calories and not worth the risk. Trained mycologists and survival experts have misidentified mushrooms and died. Don’t be an idiot.

  • Consult at least two different sources when checking for edibility.

  • Don’t just trust Google image search or some blog.

  • Start with the Peterson’s Guide for your neck of the woods and then consult at least one more reliable source.

  • Don’t rely on just visual ID.

  • Is it growing in when and where it should be?

  • Is it sprouting and flowering during the time of year the field guide says it should be growing?

  • Does it smell the way the guide says it should smell?

  • If it smells horrendous, trust your senses and don’t eat it. You’ve probably made a mistaken ID.

  • If it tastes awful, trust your senses and spit it out! Again, you’ve probably made a mistaken ID.

  • When in doubt, use the U.S. military edibility testing method (see below) outlined in the Survival — Army Techniques Publication No. 3-50.21. It is an excellent resource and is recommended reading for all rough ‘n’ tumblers!

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U.S. MILITARY PLANT EDIBILITY TESTING

4-57. Select plants that grow in sufficient quantity within the local area to justify the edibility test and provide a lasting source of food if the plant proves edible. Plants growing in water or moist soil are often the most palatable. Plants growing in shaded areas are less bitter. There are exceptions to every rule, but isolated persons should only select unknown plants as a last resort.

4-58. When selecting unknown plants for possible consumption, remember the poisonous characteristics to avoid. Apply the edibility test to only one plant at a time so if some abnormality does occur, it will be obvious which plant caused the problem. Once a plant has been selected to be tested, proceed as follows:

  • Step 1. If there are any unpleasant odors such as a moldy or musty smell coming from the plant, stop testing and disregard as a possible edible plant option. Also, if the plant gives off an “almond” scent, disregard it as a possible edible plant option.

  • Step 2. Crush or break part of the plant to determine the color of its sap. If the sap is clear, proceed to the next step.

  • Step 3. Touch the plant's sap or juice to the inner forearm. If there are no ill effects, such as a rash or burning sensation to the skin, then proceed with the rest of the steps.

  • Step 4. If a there was not an ill reaction when touching the inner forearm, place some of the plant juice on the outer lip for eight minutes. If a reaction occurs, stop the test.

  • Step 5. If still no reaction, taste a small pinch of the plant and leave it in the mouth for eight minutes. If there is an unpleasant taste, such as bitterness or a numbing sensation of the tongue or lips, stop the test. If a reaction does not occur, swallow the pinch of plant.

  • Step 6. After swallowing, wait eight hours. If there is no reaction after eight hours, chew a handful of the plant, swallow, and wait an additional eight hours. If no reaction occurs after eight hours, consider the tested plant part edible.

  • Step 7. Eat any new or strange food with restraint until the body has become accustomed to it. The plant may be slightly toxic and harmful when eaten in large quantities.

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent 4/6/25 – Father Mitch

 Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11

 John 8:1-11  World English Bible

 1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the middle, 4 they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.* What then do you say about her?” 6 They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of.

But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. 7 But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger.

9 They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. 10 Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”†

 ———————————————-

Brothers and sisters, in North America most folks have a life expectancy somewhere in the 70s.  Now, let’s say you found out that you were going to pass away earlier than that, say age 65.  That might well change your financial plans.  You might say to yourself, “Well, I guess I don't really need to save for my retirement.”  Or, if you’re married, you might say to yourself, “I need to put sufficient money aside so as to provide for my spouse after I’m gone.”  Some of the stuff you were worried about falls away.

And what if you found out that death was coming to visit even sooner?   Let's say you’re in your thirties and find out you’ve only got fifteen more years.  Perhaps then you might say yourself, “Wow, I need to hustle up and get my kid’s college fund topped up.” Or you might say, “I guess I shouldn’t put off that trip to Europe I always dreamed of” or “Gosh, I better get cracking on my bucket list.”

Now I want you to imagine that the deadline keeps moving up, and up, and up.  What happens when you find out you have one year to live?  How much of what you think is important is no longer a concern?  What happens if the deadline is moved up to 24 hours?  Now what’s important?  If you only have 24 hours to live, would you spend it web surfing, reading a book, or playing a one-person video game?  I doubt it. 

What happens to your viewpoint when think you might not make it another fifteen minutes?  I can tell you what happens, because I had a heart attack a few years ago.  It’s just like St. Paul says in today’s reading. You will “consider everything as a loss.”  You will consider everything as “so much rubbish.”  Everything will fall away.  And only one thing will remain. 

And that is love.

When you think you might have minutes or seconds to live, you will say to yourself, “Does everyone I care about know how much I love them?”  You will say, “Does every loved one I have wronged know how sorry and regretful that I am?  Does every friend, mentor, and family member who has contributed in any way to my happiness and success understand how much I appreciate their love and support?”  In that moment, everything falls away except for Love. 

And there's a reason for that.  As you approach death, you are approaching your face-to-face meeting with God.  God is love, and God is infinite, and therefore God’s love is infinite.  You are going to run head-on into love with a force greater than a train wreck.

God loves us so much that he doesn't force good behavior.  He allowed Adam and Eve to rebel, and the world to fall into sin, out of a deep and eternal love.  He loves us so much that he will not force our compliance.  What he wants is for us to participate in, and cooperate with, his love.  Listen now to what God asks in our reading from Isaiah today,

 “Do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.  Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, for I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink.”

 God doesn’t want us to stone us, or for us to stone one another, for our bad behavior.  What he wants is for every rock, tree, plant, animal, man, and woman to voluntarily turn away from sin and sing together in a united chorus of love. 

Join in his love now, before it’s too late.

—————————————————————

* 8:5 Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22

† 8:11 NU includes John 7:53–John 8:11, but puts brackets around it to indicate that the textual critics had less confidence that this was original.

 

Constitutionals, Why? Mettle Maker #451 and Holy Eucharist for 3/30/25

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Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #451: Constitutionals? Why?

Many signups in the distance learning program have questions about the requirement to perform two constitutional fitness routines each week, such as:

  • “I do CrossFit. Does that satisfy the constitutional requirement?”

  • “I’m a powerlifter. Do I still have to do constitutionals?”

  • “I run 20 miles per week and go to the gym three days a week. Why do I have to do constitutionals?”

You have to do constitutionals because fitness isn’t transferable across domains. Marathon runners don’t get ready for marathons by jumping rope or working the heavy bag. Athletes perform poorly outside their primary domains.

First and foremost, constitutionals educate martial movements. But they also improve proprioception and other bio-motor abilities, including strength, flexibility, coordination and balance.

Fighters gotta fight. So yes, they’re required. If you can stack them on top of your current routine, do that. If you don’t have that much energy, you’ll have to jettison some other part of your fitness regimen to make room.

Try the Constitutional in the video above, and let me know how it goes.

Want to get fit and learn Rough ‘n’ Tumble self-defense? Sign up for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program today!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent 3/30/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12, Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32  World English Bible

1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. 2 The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

3 He told them this parable:

11 He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them. 13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living. 14 When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.” ’

20 “He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24 for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on. 27 He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’ 28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”

There is certainly nothing at all wrong with having a practical and pragmatic view of materialistic concerns.  Where we get into trouble is when we begin to apply materialistic practicality to spiritual matters. 

Any sensible economist will tell you that scarcity is proportional to value.  The less there is of something, the more valuable it becomes.  When the Ford Maverick pickup truck came out, there were so few of them available, and manufacturing was so backlogged, that the selling price was 40% more than the sticker price.  If there too much money in circulation, the value of a dollar plummets and inflation results.  This is law of supply and demand.  All of this is common sense.         

But it is a great mistake, and very damaging to the spirit, to imagine that God’s love is a finite resource, or a commodity like corn or diesel fuel, that goes up or down in value depending on the amount in circulation. This is essentially the way the loyal son is thinking in the parable of the Prodigal Son which we read today.  He treats his father’s love as if it is a commodity.  He feels that if his father loves his reckless brother, somehow his father’s love for him is lessened.  It is as if his father has somehow put too much love in circulation.

But God’s love is infinite, because God is Love and God is Infinite.  In the parable, Jesus puts the following words in the father’s mouth: “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.”  The father in the story is our Heavenly Father.  He makes it clear that his love for the reckless son takes nothing from the loyal son – he says, “all that is mine is yours.”  It’s just that he is so happy when a sinner returns to him in repentance that he and all the heavenly host rejoice!

The loyal and righteous who have been faithful to Christ to the best of their ability even from their early youth only do themselves a disservice when they pollute their hearts with resentment and covetousness and begin to think that they are somehow better than those who have been lost and recently found.  All of the baptized faithful are members of God’s mystical body, are a part the blessed company of all faithful people, and are heirs through hope of his everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of his dear son.   

God’s infinite love permeates all of creation, fills it up with life and light and righteousness, warming our souls like the sun warms the earth.  All we need do is seek his face and return to him with a contrite and repentant heart and we can receive that love in limitless measure.     

Of Holds, Locks, and Harrows: Mettle Maker #450 and Holy Eucharist for 3/23/25

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Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #450: Bent Arm Lock a.k.a. Master Lock

In the wrestling context, the terms hold and lock are mostly used interchangeably. I’m guilty of that transgression too. Just keep in mind that holds and locks, as a technical matter, are much different. A hold is just that. It’s a way to hold somebody (or a part of somebody) where you want it. Examples would be Collar and Elbow Tie, Overhook Clinch, Gunfighter Clinch, Bottom Scissors, etc. A lock causes pain and damage, like Top Wristlock, Double Wristlock, Short Arm Scissors, etc.

Bent Arm Lock from GET TOUGH! by W. E. Fairbairn

Last week we put up a video illustrating Bent Armlock, a.k.a. Master Lock. This move comes straight out of Fairbairn’s Get Tough! as well as Len Lanius’s American Jiu Jitsu. Our Chin Jab video got thousands of views. This one, which draws on similar source material, got a couple hundred.

This lock also popped up in a video Ivanka Trump made to promote the BJJ studio where she trains. I made a short about that too (see below). It hasn’t gotten many views either. Sigh. Who can plumb the dark depths of YouTube algorithms or comprehend the vicissitudes of viewers?

Fairbairn, interestingly, makes the mistake of interchanging hold and lock. He calls it “Bent-Arm Hold.” Why does he call it a hold and not a lock? Why are bent and arm hyphenated? Editor’s errors? Who knows.

Anyway, whatever you call it, the thing works. Just make sure you understand that it puts considerable tension on the shoulder, and to a lesser extent on the elbow. When practicing with friends, apply it with slowly-ascending pressure to allow time to tap — and the defender should not relax his shoulder muscles. Keep all of the structures engaged and tight, and tap early.

Want to learn Rough ‘n’ Tumble fighting as a full-context, mind-body-spirit martial art? Sign up for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program today!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent 3/23/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15, Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11., 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, Luke 13:1-9

Luke 13:1-9  World English Bible

Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”

6 He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down! Why does it waste the soil?’ 8 He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’ ”

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus says that the Galileans who were slaughtered while offering sacrifices to the Lord were no greater sinners than anyone else.  Nor were the people who were crushed by the tower of Siloam.  Twice Jesus says that, instead of trying to figure out who is the most guilty or the most righteous, we should look to our own salvation.  He says, “unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”  By this he means that all those who do not repent will all suffer the same fate – that is, utter destruction at the final judgement. 

Then Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree.  Assuming the role of gardener and putting God in the landowner’s place, Jesus pleads that the fig tree get one more chance to bear fruit before it is cut down.  We are the tree.  Jesus wants our Heavenly Father to give us a final chance to be saved before we are destroyed. 

 The Harrowing of Hell

 Nowhere is the Lord’s desire for our salvation more evident than in the Harrowing of Hell, which is celebrated during the Easter Vigil service on the Saturday night before Easter Sunday.  A harrow is a tool for breaking up soil for planting. After the plow is run through the field, the harrow (a rack of spikes, disks, or chains) is pulled or dragged over the soil to break up the clods before planting.  The Harrowing of Hell is the process by which Hell is punished, dragged over, broken up, and made ready for planting.

Jesus, after his death, descends to hell, smashes the doors of hell, and ministers to all who are trapped inside.  Orthodox religious icons – paintings used to illustrate and teach church doctrine – depict the doors of hell broken and Jesus dragging Adam and Eve out of Hell by their wrists.  Behind them, the rest of the repentant damned clamor to escape.  All of the sacramental churches – Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, and so on – hold belief in the Harrowing of Hell to one degree or another. Thus Christians are justified in believing that before the final destruction, every soul in hell has an opportunity to meet Christ face-to-face, hear the gospel, repent, and be liberated.  Believers are encouraged celebrate Christ’s total defeat of sin, evil, and death – and to pray his victory will extend into the hearts of all sinners, even to the degree that all might be saved.

The Harrowing of Hell is referenced in the Apostles' Creed phrase, "He descended into hell," and in the following Bible passages: 

  • 1 Peter 3:18–19: "For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison,"

  • 1 Peter 4:6: "For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does."

  • Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."

There are dozens more, but the following passages are some of the most frequently cited:

•        Matthew 12:40

•        Matthew 27:50–54

•        Mark 3:24

•        Luke 13:6-9 

•        Acts 2:24

•        Ephesians 4:9

•        Colossians 1:18

 For 1,500 years, the Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom has been read aloud in the Eastern Orthodox Church during midnight services on Easter eve, the night of Holy Saturday. As the homily is read, laurel leaves are sprinkled through the church to symbolize the broken pieces of the gates of hell.  As his homily makes clear in the most beautiful language, no matter how late a sinner repents, destruction may be avoided.  He says,

 O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory?

 Christ is risen, and thou art cast down.

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen.

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.

Christ is risen, and life flourisheth.

Christ is risen, and there is none dead in the tombs.

Of Tells and Tents: Mettle Maker #449 and Holy Eucharist for 3/16/25

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Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #449: Tells

tell (tĕl) n. An unintentional or unconsciously exhibited behavior that reveals or betrays one's state of mind, as when playing poker.

How do you know when a confrontation is going to come to blows? Well, there are some “tells” — some sure signs and dead giveaways — that you can put to good use. Before we get to the “tells,” lets talk about preventative measures.

AVOIDING BAD SITUATIONS

  1. Learn to identify and avoid social aggression. Social aggression is posturing, baiting, threatening, blustering behavior which human beings use in misguided attempts to assert dominance. You must be humble enough to ignore this sort of foolishness and leave the area. Entanglement in human threat displays is almost completely avoidable. These tells will help you determine if social aggression is about to make the transition to violence.

  2. Violence is also avoidable, but less so. Most violence will be by surprise — no threat display, no bluster, no posturing. The tells that follow might not be applicable. Often without warning there will be a stab, a punch, a gun in your face, a shove to the ground, half a dozen fists flying at you. The only way to avoid most violence is with “warrior awareness” — which is relaxed engagement with your environment. See video below.

For more information on the P.A.D.E. continuum of prevention click here.

Now that we have the playing field straight, let’s talk about the “tells.”

FIVE COMMON “TELLS” — Ways Aggressors Reveal They’re About to Attack

Note: Do a personal survey. Do you present these tells? Recognize when you might be about to lose control and, if violence is unnecessary, mash the brakes and exit the situation. And, in case violence is necessary, start practicing your stoicism now so that you can maintain a calm exterior and a peaceful interior. Example: My tell is morbid laughter. When I feel that laugh begin to bubble up, I know that something inside is starting to take delight in malicious behavior. I’m not walking with Christ and I’m about to lose my temper. So I do everything humanly possible to change direction in mind, body, and spirit.

  1. Facial expression. Sudden dramatic widening or narrowing of eyes or nostrils.

  2. Discordant vocalizations. Speech or utterances inappropriate to the situation, such as a growling, morbid laughter, shrieking, etc.

  3. Pacing. Sudden onset or cessation of restlessness or pacing. Watch for a sudden rigidity in stance or a pre-pounce wind-up.

  4. Rising up on toes. This can be a subconscious attempt to appear larger or indicator of preparation to lunge.

  5. Gestures covering surprise: People like to attack by surprise and they are poor fakers. Often they will pretend to leave by giving a dismissive wave or saying, “Forget you” or “I’m out of here.” Half way through their pretend turn to go, they will spring off the far foot, whirl, and attack.

Okay, so, you’ve practiced warrior awareness and you tried to leave. For whatever reason, you’re stuck. You can’t get out, and the person in front of you does something and you detect the tell. What do you do?

That’s a personal decision. But I suggest you attack with a formidable, but less-than-legal, self-defense method such as the dreaded Chin Jab.

Want to learn Rough ‘n’ Tumble fighting as a full-context, mind-body-spirit martial art? Sign up for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program today!

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Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent 3/16/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18, Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 9:28b-36

Luke 9:28b-36  World English Bible

Jesus he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. 30 Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,† which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. 33 As they were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not knowing what he said.

34 While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. 35 A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

Each year, for the seven days beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (usually  sometime in September or October on the modern calendar), observant Jews celebrate Sukkot.  Sukkot is perhaps the greatest of the three great feasts of the Jewish liturgical calendar.  In English it is generally known as the Feast of Tabernacles. 

The feast is primarily a commemoration of the forty years of trial and tribulation in the wilderness and a celebration of thanksgiving for being given a permanent home in the promised land (Leviticus 23:43), but it is also a harvest time celebration (Deuteronomy 16:13; Exodus 23:16).  In Jesus’ time, the people were required to travel to Jerusalem and set up tents, booths, or small shanties in which they spent the entire duration of the seven-day festival, in accordance with the law of Leviticus 23:40.  The first and last days are more solemn in character, with serious religious activities.  But the days in between are set aside for social activities, fancy meals, dinners, parties, entertaining guests, and so on.  Because so many came from far and wide and flooded places of encampment, rich and poor, high born and low, found themselves spending time together.  So this was also a time for making new friends and expanding social circles.

It is believed that the events in today’s gospel reading happened during, or perhaps just before, the Feast of Tabernacles.  This would explain why Peter offers to set up tents for Moses and Elijah.  In a previous homily some years ago, I suggested that Peter was a silly goose for misunderstanding the significance of the event.  If the Transfiguration of Jesus did actually happen during the Feast of Tabernacles, we should be much more understanding of Peter indeed. 

What else was Peter to think?  He did not know what was coming.  He could not have known that the literal temple in Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, while the actual temple, Jesus Christ, would be destroyed and rebuilt – the immortal, indestructible, Son of God.  How could he have known that there was going to be a new Jerusalem, the church of Jesus Christ, and he was going to be its head?

Peter could not know any of these things.  Jesus gave him clues of course, telling him many things which he could not understand.  It would not be until after Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead that he would come to see the fuller truth.  Peter knew that Abram made a material sacrifice and struck a covenant such that God’s people might receive a material promised land.  But only after Jesus’ resurrection would Peter come to fully grasp that the true “promised land” was not a geographical location, but the Kingdom of Heaven.      

At the time he offered to build tents, how could Peter have fully understood that through Jesus Christ all Christians would be called to enter into a new relationship: a spiritual sacrifice of hearts, mind, souls and bodies, to receive the new promised land of life everlasting.

 ————————————————————————-

† 9:31 literally, “exodus”

Rough 'n' Tumble Lineage: Mettle Maker #448 and Holy Eucharist for 3/9/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #448: Rough '‘n’ Tumble lineage

Martial artists in the Western tradition don’t put near as much faith in martial lineage as they do in the East. But that doesn’t mean we ignore it. In fact, if we pay a bit of attention to it, we find that distinctions like East-West begin to fuzz, fray, and fall out of focus.

Erik Paulson is one of the greatest martial artists of all time. He has trained in more martial arts styles than most man can name, and literally wrote a book called “Rough and Tumble.” He is the first American to win the World Shooto Championship in Japan. But isn’t Shooto an “Eastern” martial art? Not really. Shooto is what you get when you teach judoka and karateka catch wrestling, and they mix it all together. You see, the Japanese got hooked on catch wrestling, and in the 1970’s catch wrestler Karl Gotch became a legend in Japan, and taught guys like Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, and Satoru Sayama, the original Tiger Mask.

Erik Paulson’s most famous student is probably Josh Barnett. Barnett is a true Rough ‘n’ Tumbler who got started in martial arts by fighting in unpaid backyard fights and became the youngest Heavy Weight Champion in the history of UFC. This is the guy who, in 2009, won the IBJJF World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship without having any formal training in BJJ. This is guy who, while fighting under Paulson’s CSW banner (“Combat Submission Wrestling”), tapped out undefeated BJJ giant Dean Lister using basic, high-school folk wrestling moves.

Read that again.

Josh Barnett tapped out undefeated BJJ great Dean Lister using basic wrestling moves like Crunch Cradle, Quarter Nelson, and Scarf Hold.

Of course, he sprinkled on some Rough ‘n’ Tumble “fairy dust” — mind-bending agony — by putting his shins on the tender portions of Lister’s body at all times. Watching this match very closely is essential homework for all Rough ‘n’ Tumblers (video above left).

If you watch it and you can’t see it, here’s my short breakdown on the right.

So, when you tell people that you practice American Rough ‘n’ Tumble, and they say “what’s that?” or “what kind of lame made up thing is that?” just drop some famous names: Erik Paulson, Josh Barnett, and Original Tiger Mask.

Want to learn Rough ‘n’ Tumble fighting as a full-context, mind-body-spirit martial art? Sign up for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program today!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent 3/9/25 – Father Mitch

 Readings: Deut 26:4-10, Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, Rom 10:8-13, Luke 4:1-13

 Luke 4:1-13   World English Bible

 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”*

5 The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I want. 7 If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”*

9 He led him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,

‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;’

11 and,

‘On their hands they will bear you up,

lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”*

12 Jesus answering, said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”*

13 When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.

  

St. Augustine said that all temptations fall into the three categories which Jesus faced: pleasure, pride, or curiosity.  Pleasure being the desire to turn everything which is bland, like a stone, into something that is enjoyable, like bread.  The devil always tempts us by promising to flatten all of the steep hills we must climb, to sweeten all the bitterness of life, to make the complex simple, the unpleasant pleasant, and my personal favorite: the temptation to make the inconvenient convenient.  Rest assured that it is Satan who lies behind the most evil conveniences.  

When people say, “I just can’t have a baby right now” and they turn to abortion, or when you hear “Putting Grandma in an old folk’s home is the best thing for everyone” think about changing stones into loaves.  When you hear a divorced father excuse his behavior by saying, “My kids will be better off without me” or a business man say, “It’s not personal, it’s just business” this is stones-into-loaves thinking.

Pride is next.  The devil is always offering pride in the form of power, fame, and fortune.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with trying to better oneself, and certainly nothing wrong with healthy competition in sports, business, scholarship, artistry, and so on.  Competition breads competence. This is how we encourage everyone to be better, stronger, and more skillful.  Without competition there’s no culture.  But when our priorities are placed above God’s – when our power, fame and fortune come at the cost of loving God and our neighbor as we ought to – this is Satan’s temptation.

And finally, curiosity.  The devil says, “Just do it!”  He says, “Just relax, let your hair down.  Try that drug, you won’t get hooked.”  He says, “Stop second-guessing yourself and take the leap.  Bet your paycheck on the lotto.  You gotta risk it to get the biscuit!”  He tempts us take flight without regard for the fall – to taste the fruit and take the chance without regard for the implications and consequences.

St. Augustine concludes his statement on the temptation of Jesus by saying that, as Luke the evangelist says, “When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.”  The devil slinks away like a serpent, only to return like a roaring lion, entering Judas and making him betray his master.  He enters the Jews and fills them with rage.  No longer tempting, now he makes them cry out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” 

This is how we begin our Lenten season.  With awareness that, in our lives we must face the temptations and beware of the frustrations, lest they rush in and take us over like serpents and roaring lions. 

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 * 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3

 * 4:8 Deuteronomy 6:13

 * 4:11 Psalms 91:11-12

 * 4:12 Deuteronomy 6:16

Ash Wednesday 2025

Ash Wednesday

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.

Silence is then kept for a time, all kneeling. If ashes are to be imposed, the Celebrant says the following prayer

  Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the
  earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our
  mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is
  only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life;
  through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

  The ashes are imposed with the following words:

  Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Stingers: Mettle Maker #447 and Holy Eucharist for 3/2/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #447: “Stingers”

Fighting is a nasty business that we should avoid at all costs. We never fight to prove a point, to settle a dispute, for entertainment, to give vent to negative emotions like hatred, spite, jealousy, vengeance, and so on. We are the inheritors of the rough ‘n’ tumblers’ legacy. Our charity is called “Heritage” for this reason — heritage and inheritance share the same root in the Latin heres from which the worlds heir, heiress, and heirloom are derived. But our task is not to imitate the worst habits and viewpoints of our forebears.

Our duty is to to carry forward the best of our inheritance, not the worst of it.

So when we read that the old rough ‘n’ tumblers fought one another because someone called them a nasty name, or “knocked a peach out of his hand,” or offered a sip of whiskey without first “wiping the mouth of the Bottle” we should be aghast. We should be repulsed.†

Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumblers should only fight as a last resort, and only if life is on the line.

But if innocent life is indeed on the line, we should not hesitate to use our most effective and withering skills from first contact. Everything we do to the enemy must cause pain from first touch. Yes, whenever and wherever our bodies come into contact with the evildoer, he should feel pain — as though he reached into a bag to pluck out a puppy and found instead a scorpion.

Practice your “stingers” at least once or twice a week. Set a round timer for 3 x 3:00/1:00 and practice adding maximum discomfort into your wrestling movements.

  • Crush with square chokes, levers, leg scissors, etc.

  • Gouge with knuckles and elbows.

  • Tie a rag to the heavy bag and practice pulling hair.

  • Squeeze and choke with your fingers.

  • Drive your fingertips into the mastoid process and the supraclavicular fossa.

  • Switch your shin rides to knee rides, placing them against the sternum, ninth rib, collar bone, or jaw.

  • Practice your “eye choke” by digging into the bag with the tip of your chin.

  • Grind your forehead into the bag with all your might.

  • Slip the “little mountain” behind his back and give him all your weight.

This is not an exercise in cruelty. Causing your attacker pain without permanent injury is a humane way to encourage him to break off the attack, which could save his life, your life, and the lives of loved ones and bystanders as well. As the great Dave Durch says, “Pain changes the game.”

Looking for a free mind-body-spirit martial arts program? Sign up for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program today!

———————————————————————

† See Elliott Gorn’s article, from which these quotes were taken, here.

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time 3/2/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Sir 27:4-7, Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16, 1 Cor 15:54-58, Lk 6:39-45

Luke 6:39-45  World English Bible 

He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.

43 “For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

 

Brothers and sisters, I always feel very guilty whenever I stub my toe, spill a drink all over the carpet, cut my finger, or experience some other mishap and a swear word bursts out.  Why?  Because, as Jesus says in today’s reading, “the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.”  I wonder when I curse: “Is this what I’m filled with to bursting?  Filth?”

Yesterday, my wife and I were getting ready for a friend’s birthday party.  I had crafted him a gift, a somewhat delicate wooden sculpture, and placed it on my wife’s desk.  I left it there while my wife worked on his birthday card, and I went to go shower and shave.

As I was shaving I heard a loud crash.  My wife exclaimed, “Oh no!  No, no, no!”  Her voice was filled with anguish.  Immediately I thought that she had knocked off the sculpture and smashed it.  My first thought was concern for my wife.  My heart sank with sadness, because I knew that wife would be crushed with guilt.  I imagined the tears that must surely be streaming down her cheeks.  I finished by shave, wiped the foam from my face and went to her.  To my surprise, I found she wasn’t crying.

“What was all that commotion about?” I asked.  I could see the sculpture was perfectly intact.

“Oh, clumsy me, I dropped a full glass of diet cola on my desk, all over the card I just made for Mike,” she said.  “But it’s okay, I’m making him another one.  No big deal.”  And then I thanked God for filling my heart to bursting with compassion and concern for my wife, rather than with concern for a material thing or some dirty swear word.  That’s what Jesus wants.  Jesus wants us to fill up our storehouses, not with material goods which moth and rust may destroy, but with heavenly things – the treasures of love and righteousness (Matthew 6:19-21) – so that we can let those treasures flow out into the world.  In our reading today from 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 15: 54-58) St. Paul, says,

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Death, where is your sting?

Hades, where is your victory?”

When Paul says, “the sting of death is sin” he is saying that the death has a metaphorical sting that, like a scorpion’s tail or a rattlesnake’s bite, injects the poison of sin into us.  But Christ, having conquered death, cuts off the tail of that scorpion!  Christ, in defeating death, defangs the snake!

We can, brothers and sisters, imitate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the here and now.  We can let our old selves die – our old self-obsessed, material-loving, sinful selves – and be born again in Christ.  Because, as Paul says, “because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor 15: 58b)

Rough 'n' Tumble Revival: Mettle Maker #446 and Holy Eucharist for 2/23/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). The brain tumor Kylie dealt with a few years back is growing again. Kylie is Mark’s primary co-conspirator, best friend, power animal, goddess, gourmet chef, pistol-packing bodyguard, and hoochie-coochie dancer in residence. A finer lady you’ll never meet. God give her strength, we pray thee, Amen.

Mettle maker #446: Rough ‘n’ Tumble Revival

Want to hear me spout some pretty-ish words about martial arts and whatnot? You’ve come to the right place!

In response to the naysayers, nitpickers, no-joys, and nattering nabobs of negativity who intermittently hurl narrow-minded criticality at Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble and/or at the Rough ‘n’ Tumble revival itself, I put together a video including both an overview of my methodology and an abbreviated survey of the hundreds of the sources I have used to develop the Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble program.

Just filming and editing the 38-minute video took about 18 hours. It is not an exaggeration to say that over the last 16 years of developing the program I have read hundreds of books and articles, watched hundreds of hours of video, and spent thousands of hours practicing and testing martial arts techniques — all without accepting a dime in salary as President of the Heritage Arts, Inc. educational non-profit.

The FY2024 990N filing for Heritage Arts, Inc.

In response to the occasional accusation that we are not a “real” non-profit, on the right you will find our most recent 990N IRS filing. I encourage anyone to use the IRS non-profit verification tool to check our current status. Our EIN number is 81-5406720.

If you want to take advantage of one of only two Rough ‘n’ Tumble martial arts training programs available today — and the only one that’s 100% free! — sign up for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time 2/23/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23, Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, Luke 6:27-38

Luke 6:27-38  World English Bible

“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.

31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

36 “Therefore be merciful,

even as your Father is also merciful.

37 Don’t judge,

and you won’t be judged.

Don’t condemn,

and you won’t be condemned.

Set free,

and you will be set free.

38 “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you.§ For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

Is it true that we are less likely to run afoul of the law and be incarcerated when we follow the commandments?  Isn’t it also true that our friendships, marriages, and family relations are stronger and healthier when we strive to be good Christians?  Of course.  It is also true that truth-telling, forgiving, golden-rule-living, Christian behaviors often result in greater successes in business.  And, probably due to the well-being and support we receive from our church communities, Christians also live longer than non-Christians on average. 

The pitfall that the evil one lays for us is that we’re always going to get rewards for good behavior.  We take the evil one’s lure when we begin to take earthly rewards for granted.  Like a rat snagging a poison bait, we drag this spiritual toxin into our hearts and expect things to go well with us all the time.  But we don’t always stay out of legal trouble, make lots of money, have more friends, and live long lives.  Things go wrong.  Sometimes badly wrong.  Then, a  catastrophe comes our way, we blame God.  Our faith shakes or breaks, and the devil wins.  Therefore we must at all times understand the clear distinction between earthly and heavenly rewards.

When we meditate on the story of David stealing Saul’s spear in our first reading, we are struck by the audacious courage it took to sneak into the opposing camp by night.  We feel the tension as Abishai whispers to David that they should murder Saul in his sleep.  But David, with a clear mind, is able to focus on right and wrong rather than the mere tactical practicality of killing his enemy.  Respectful of the king anointed by God, he spares Saul and merely embarrasses him by stealing his weapon from beside his sleeping body.  David says, “The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness.”

But whereas the Hebrews of David’s time likely would’ve expected a more tangible reward for sparing Saul – indeed, David ultimately ascended to the throne, didn’t he? – we as Christians have developed a different understanding.  In our epistle reading, St. Paul compares the first Adam to Jesus, the New Adam, and speaks of how “the first man was from the earth” and “the second man, from heaven.”  Being anchored in the earthly world, our tendency is always to fixate on the material, the measurable, and the visible.  We are easily tempted to fall prey to a material, give-and-get viewpoint.  But St. Paul makes it clear that we are bound for heavenly glory, not earthly rewards and eternal death.  He says, “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.”  When we take the body and blood of Christ into ourselves and genuinely allow to Christ to live in and through us, we can begin to participate in God’s unconditional giving with no strings attached.

So, to be clear, when Jesus says these words – “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you.  For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you” – he is referring to heavenly rewards, not earthly ones.  Trust in the Lord.  Love him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:20) and you may give freely and have hope of eternal life in the time to come.   

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§6:38 literally, into your bosom.

Two Paths: Mettle Maker #445 and Holy Eucharist for 2/16/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Kylie, Mitch, and Mark (L to R)

Prayers for Kyle and Mark Hatmaker, folks. Kylie had a brain tumor a few years back and bounced back fast. But now the tumor is growing again, and we’re all mighty worried. For those readers not aware, Kylie’s husband Mark Hatmaker is my coach, the leading force in the American Rough ‘n"‘ Tumble revival, and one of the greatest martial artists alive today. Please do pray for both Kylie and Mark.

Mettle maker #445: The Dreaded Chin Jab

The dreaded “chin jab” (which is by no means a mere “jab”) comes by way of Lieutenant Colonel William Ewart Fairbairn, laid out in his book, Get Tough! The movement is a mainstay in the Rough ‘n’ Tumble tradition, so aggressive and dangerous that it cannot even be practiced with partners in a safe manner. That’s how you know you have a great fighting technique: it’s so devastating that you can only do it on a heavy bag. By all means do practice this maneuver and add it to your repertoire.

Here is what Fairbairn has to say about the attack:

“Deliver this blow with the heel of your hand, full force, with the weight of your body behind it, and fingers spread so as to reach your opponent's eyes, as in F ig. 4. Deliver the blow upwards from a bent arm and only when close to your opponent. The distance the blow will have to travel will depend on the height of your opponent, but will seldom exceed six inches. Always aim at the point of your opponent's chin. Never draw your hand back, thus signaling your intention of striking. F rom start to finish, make every movement as quickly as possible. Remember that an attack, or an attempt to attack, with the knee at your opponent's testicles will always bring his chin forward and down.” (W. E. Fairbairn, “Get Tough”)

By this last part, he seems to be indicating that we might get our enemy’s chin moving down and into our attack by throwing a knee at the same time. Try this out on your heavy bag — you may find, as I do, that you generate more power by keeping both feet on the ground. I also recommend that you slam your forearm into his chest at the same time. This keeps your weight forward and your arm perpendicular the ground.

Do not use this attack in sparring. There is a reason why you do not see this attack in MMA.

Like this move? You should sign up for our totally free mind-body-spirit program that incorporates self-defense, fitness, outdoor skills, and spiritual development — sign up for our free Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

NOTE: This week’s livestream crashed — homily only this week. God Bless, ~Mitch+


Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2/16/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Jer 17:5-8, Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6, 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20, Luke 6:17, 20-26

Luke 6:17, 20-26  World English Bible

Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon.

20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said:

 “Blessed are you who are poor,

for God’s Kingdom is yours.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now,

for you will be filled.

Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

22 Blessed are you when men hate you,

and when they exclude and mock you,

and throw out your name as evil,

for the Son of Man’s sake.

23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

 24 “But woe to you who are rich!

For you have received your consolation.

25 Woe to you, you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,

for you will mourn and weep.

26 Woe,† when‡ men speak well of you,

for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.


Brothers and sisters, today’s readings lay out two paths: one leading to spiritual life and one leading to spiritual death.  Jeremiah says the person who follows one of the paths like a withered bush standing in a desert, a salty dry lake bed, and the person who follows the other path is like a tree planted by a river, green and yielding fruit.

Our Psalm for today describes, in similar language, the same two paths.  If we stick to the path of the just, we can see our way to safety. But if we follow the other path, the trail slowly fizzles out, it fades, leading nowhere.  In the last lines, we sing, “For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes.”  This path of the wicked is literally a dead end.

St. Paul lays out these two paths and explains brilliantly the crux of the issue – the crucial difference between the two paths.  I said the “crux” of the issue, and “crucial” difference, because both of these words share the same origin in the Latin root “crux” and “crucis” from which we get “cross” and “crucifix.”  Yes, the difference between the two paths is the Cross. St. Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain.” (1 Cor 15:14).  He says that because, if Jesus is just another man among many, he’s going to fade away like any other, and his wisdom goes away with him. There have been millions of books written, full of wit and wisdom, educational stories and such, that are now lost to the sands of time.  They’re gone, forgotten, irrelevant.  But if an author never dies – like Jesus Christ, who was, is, and ever shall be, who is the author of life itself – his wisdom endures forever because it continues to be spoken by him, through the Holy Ghost, and by us, his disciples!

If we trust in mortal men, we’re on the wrong track.  Politicians die, heroes and heroines perish, parents and respected elders go into the ground.  Houses and possessions break, fall apart, and decay.  Food rots.  Assets depreciate.  Everything in this world is crucified on the cross of this material world and dies.  Even the Lord.  Even he, when he came to earth, was subject to the reality of the cross.  But the difference is that Jesus Christ came back of his own accord.  Nothing and no one that has ever done that.  Even Lazarus, who Jesus brought back from the dead, didn’t do it on his own.  Only Jesus has done this. 

Standing on the plain, Jesus warns his disciples not to place their faith in the praises of mortal men.  Not to seek the false sense of security that comes from wealth and money, not to seek final satisfaction in creature comforts, like eating yummy food and yucking it up with our pals.  Mind you, he is not calling all men and women to be monks.  There’s nothing wrong with paying our bills, enjoying good food and the company of friends and family.  Jesus is only saying that when we sacrifice money, food, and laughter for his sake, we’re on the right path.  When we demote the people and things of this world to a status lower than him and his priorities, which are Love, Truth, Hope and Faith – and especially Love (1 Cor 13:13) – then our reward will be great in heaven.

--------------------------------------------------

† 6:26 TR adds “to you”

‡ 6:26 TR adds “all”

Two Lives: Mettle Maker #444 and Holy Eucharist for 2/9/25

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Mettle maker #444: A Prayer Request and 10 Quotes Defining Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble Self-defense

Kylie (L), Fr. Mitch (C) and the Immortal Mark Hatmaker (R)

Before we go any further, I would like to request that everyone in the Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble community begin praying for Kylie Hatmaker and her husband Mark (see pic on right). Kylie had a brain tumor a few years back and bounced back fast. But now the tumor is growing again, and we’re all mighty worried. For those readers not aware, Kylie’s husband Mark Hatmaker is my coach, the leading force in the rebirth of American Rough ‘n"‘ Tumble, and one of the greatest martial artists alive today. And Kylie? Well. she’s Mark’s power animal, goddess, confidant, head chef, hoochie-coochie dancer in residence, primary co-conspirator, and most importantly, best friend. She’s also a mighty fine martial artist herself, and one of the nicest folks you’d ever want to meet. Please do pray for both Kylie and Mark.

Want to hear me spout some pretty-ish words about martial arts and whatnot? You’ve come to the right place!

So on last months’ Heritage group call, we discussed how it might be kind of cool to compile the top quotes that have come to, in a way, define what Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble is all about. Not literally define it, in a legal or scientific way, but in a philosophical sense. So I put a video together. Let us know what you think — see above left.

Would you like to participate in our monthly hob-nobs on Google Meet? Would you like to meet a bunch of really cool dudes, hang out, and talk about martial arts, the future of Heritage Arts, get the inside scoop, and so on?

Well first you’ll need to sign up for our totally free mind-body-spirit program that incorporates self-defense, fitness, outdoor skills, and spiritual development — sign up for our free Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2/9/25 – Father Mitch

 Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8, Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11

 Luke 5:1-11  World English Bible

 Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night and caught nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” 6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” 9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”

11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.

 

In the movie "The Natural" – arguably the greatest baseball movie ever made, and perhaps even the greatest sports movie ever made – Glenn Close, who plays Robert Redford's childhood sweetheart, says that she believes people live two lives. There's "the life we learn with and the life we live after that."  If you haven't seen the movie, please do so.  It is a truly excellent film about facing past mistakes, obeying our moral compass no matter what, and ultimately finding redemption.

And that is what our readings are about today: the life we learn with and life we live after.  And so, we might wonder, who was Isaiah before his encounters with God?  We do not know.  But certainly, he must have transformed by his mystical, visionary experiences.  Afterall, his mouth has been purified with a burning coal from God's heavenly altar.  He has been filled with the Holy Ghost and made ready to proclaim God's truth come what may.

St. Paul also led two lives – one as a Pharisee who persecuted Christians and another as an apostle.  His encounter with Christ transformed him, and his life began anew.  As Stephen Blackwood said, "The encounter with the true ideal is inherently redemptive.  I don't know if it's even possible to know your sins without first encountering a love that transcends them."¹  What he is saying is that an encounter with someone who loves you more than your mistakes is what causes us to change direction.  The love and gentle reproach of a respected mentor can cause us to turn over a new leaf.  The caring and guidance of a trusted friend can lead us to choose a different path.  These are, in a sense, splendid human versions – foretastes, if you will – of the purifying fire that is God's love.  If someone who loves you and cares for you says that you should watch your mouth, you might begin to speak more politely, and watch your language.  But an encounter with God is something else again, capable of cleansing the lips of the prophet Isaiah so that he can speak prophecies; capable of turning St. Paul from a prosecutor to a proselytizer.

Likewise, the apostles have lived two lives.  One as fishers of the water's bounty, and another as fishers of men.  Their encounter with Christ, with the perfect ideal, causes them to see their past sins and completely change direction.  Peter says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord" and Jesus replies “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”

The world itself has lived two lives.  One BC – before Christ – and the other AD – after Christ. This world has had an encounter with the perfect ideal, and it has been forever changed.  Pray, brothers and sisters, that all may follow Jesus Christ.  Pray that all may emulate Isaiah, welcoming the touch of the burning coal on our lips so that we proclaim the truth of God's Word.  Or pray that we can all be like Paul, encountering Jesus in our hearts, and being born anew, beginning new lives as apostles of Christ.  Pray that, like Peter and the apostles, we can trust in Jesus, confess our sins, and become fishers of men.

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¹ “Conflict with Authority” video seminar 1/5/25, part of “The Gospels” series presented by the Daily Wire at https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels

Stoicism, Aggression, and Filling Gaps: Mettle Maker #443 and Holy Eucharist for 2/2/25

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Mettle maker #443: Stoicism and Aggression (Aggression Fills Gaps Pt II)

Is shadow wrestling as good for your martial arts skills as actual wrestling? Nope. But it’s better than not training at all!

Week before last we put up a one-minute-and-thirty-second video of the most basic pistol strip, and then last week we followed that up with a slightly longer video covering rifle disarms. As I said last time, this is obviously a very complex subject. These videos demonstrate tactics in isolation. They are not complete treatments of pistol and rifle defense strategies.

If someone points a gun at you with intent to kill and there’s ten feet between you, you’re going to have to do something. That could be running away, diving for cover, trying to arm yourself, or something else I can’t think of right now.

But if you have to engage — if you sense that you are about to be executed and you’d rather fight than go down like a exterminated pest — then you need to be extremely aggressive.

In other words, charging forward with complete abandon and recklessness courage, like a raging animal defending its young. This needs to be practiced. This is why, from time immemorial, men (and sometimes women as well) have practiced being stoic:

sto·ic (stōĭk) n. 1. One who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain. adj. also sto·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) 1. Seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive: "stoic resignation in the face of hunger" (John F. Kennedy). (American Heritage Dictionary)

But it’s more than that. Being stoic is just the beginning. A flat, unemotional demeanor does not scare the living crap out of an aggressor and change the tide. You need to practice exploding out of stoicism into pure aggression, utter hostility, and complete ferocity. This is the way you need to work your heavy bag, floor bag, wrestling dummy, war post or pell, etc.

Afterward, when innocent lives have been spared (if its God’s will, we pray), then stoicism returns. No hatred, no lingering malice, indifferent to injury, and re-centered in spirit, humble before God.

Hey — if you’re picking up what we’re putting down, consider signing up for a totally free mind-body-spirit program that incorporates self-defense, fitness, outdoor skills, and spiritual development — sign up for our free Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Candlemas (The Presentation of the Lord) 2/2/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10, Hebrews 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

Luke 2:22-40 World English Bible

When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),* 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”*

25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.‡ 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,

according to your word, in peace;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32 a light for revelation to the nations,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him. 34 Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

 

St. Jerome said, “All heretics have gone astray by not understanding the mystery of the Nativity.  The statement, ‘he who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’¹ is made applicable to the special nativity of the Savior than to that of all men, for Christ alone opened the doors of the womb of virginity, which nevertheless remained permanently closed.”  What St. Jerome is saying is that Jesus is at once like us in having passed through the doors of a mother’s womb of flesh.  But he is also wholly unique for having traversed doors which none of us can or will ever pass – the doors of a virgin birth – the doors of virginity itself.

In the Eucharist service, the priest emulates Jesus.  As Jesus opened the closed, virgin doors of Mary’s womb, the priest follows in his footsteps, opening the doors to the altar which must forever remained closed to the congregation – in a manner similar to the way in which the high priests of the Jews entered into the Holy of Holies which were closed to all others.

Jesus’ birth opens the doors of the material world so that God may enter into his creation.  The infant Child of God enters through the temple doors, fulfilling the Jewish law requiring parents to bring an offering of either a spotless lamb or a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons (Leviticus 12:8).  Where once God had only been present in his indwelling Spirit, communing with the people through worship, at the presentation God enters as the physical firstborn son, sacred to God.

Rise up indeed, ye ancient portals, that the King of Glory may come in!  Let us celebrate that day long ago when the temple doors opened for the first time so that the King of Glory could come in and worship with us, not just in Spirit, but as a living Savior of Flesh and Blood!

Rise up indeed, brothers and sisters.  Rise up, those who struggle, who are sick or in doubt, who are in fear, adversity, or sorrow.  Rise up and knock, and the doors will be opened (Matthew 7:7).  Lift up your heads and let the King of Glory come in!  Let him enter into your hearts and you will find peace for your souls.  Let the King of Glory come in, and you will become in turn a gateway for others to enter into communion with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

 —————————————————————-

¹ Exodus 13:12

* 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12

* 2:24 Leviticus 12:8

‡ 2:26 “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “Anointed One”

The Sword: Mettle Maker #442 and Holy Eucharist for 1/26/25

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Mettle maker #442: The Sword

"To North, South, East and West, to our higher powers and better selves, we ask and send our blessings; that we may train with sincerity, outside the influence of evil forces, and successfully embody the Five Virtues of Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble: Wonder, Sagacity, Frugality, Indomitability and Fraternity. Ex Gladio Scientia. Ruh!"

That’s the Heritage Rough ‘n’ Tumble student oath that we recite at the beginning of every meeting, right after the Pledge of Allegiance. Christians will note that the names God and Jesus don’t appear anywhere in it. That’s because we are a 501c3, federally recognized, public charity, and our programs are open to all everyone, regardless of their faith or non-faith. The reference to “higher powers” allows everyone to substitute his or her God name of choice, or for atheists to envision Truth or Justice.

That said, the student oath is biblically based — click here for the full breakdown. Rough 'n' Tumble is America's martial art, and Christianity is at the heart of our nation since it’s founding. Christianity has to be in the Heritage program. But the Christianity in the program has to be unifying, not dividing. There are over 40,000 Christian denominations. Few if them agree on much. We have to be okay with differences of opinion or all we'll do is argue.

And the last bit in Latin? That’s our motto. It translates to "From the sword comes knowledge." We're not fencers, so what's this business about a sword? For us the sword is symbolic martial arts and fighting skills. When we say, “Ex Gladio Scientia!” we are expressing our desire to learn something deeper from our martial studies than just how to fight and win. And we are calling forth the Sword of Discernment given to us by Christ in Hebrews 4:12 and Matthew 10:34-36:

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ (Matt 10:34-36) [This quote, often misinterpreted, encourages us to put aside our clannish nature and put God’s morality, truth and justice ahead of everything else, even family ties. ~Fr. Mitch]

Hey — if you haven’t done so already, consider signing up for a totally free mind-body-spirit program that incorporates self-defense, fitness, outdoor skills, and spiritual development — sign up for our free Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time 1/26/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 World English Bible

Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. 15 He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,

 

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to heal the broken hearted,†

to proclaim release to the captives,

recovering of sight to the blind,

to deliver those who are crushed,

19 and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”*

 

20 He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

 

Today’s gospel reading is written to you.  Not for people like you, but to you.  Directly to you.  Directly to each of us.  He starts by saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” At his baptism by John the Baptist, the Holy Ghost descended upon him like a dove and God’s voice came from a cloud and said, “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22).  And at the Transfiguration, God said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” So Jesus saying to you, “Hey, I’m the Son of God and I’m talking to you, so listen up!”

Then he goes on, saying, “he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” What does that mean?  You’re thinking, “How could he possibly be speaking directly to me and everybody else at the same time?  I could be flat broke, or I could be wealthy.  Everybody’s not poor.”  But every is poor spiritually.  Because whether your bank account is overdrawn or you’ve got more money that you can spend in two lifetimes, either way you’re obsessed with money.  If you don’t have any, and you’re in danger of being evicted or going hungry, it’s all you can think about.  If you’re a multimillionaire, you’re hyper-focused on protecting your investments.  If you’re jobless, you obsess on finding work so you can get by.  If you have a job, you’re worried about what your boss expects of you.

Every weekend I have chores to do.  I have a utility bill to pay or a home repair to make.  The grass has to be mowed or the leaves have to be raked.  The cars have to be washed and vacuumed.  I don’t own the house; the house owns me!  I don’t own the car; the car owns me!  And so Jesus is saying that there’s more to life than money and possessions.  Everyone who obsesses about them is poor.  He’s offering a kind of wealth that replaces that all of that.  Those who obsess on loving their neighbor and living righteously are truly rich.  These are the riches that moths and rust cannot consume and thieves cannot steal (Matthew 6:19-21). 

And Jesus goes on.  He says that God has sent him, “to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed.”  We are all held captive by work problems, personal difficulties, illnesses, family issues, floundering relationships, and all the difficulties of life.  To one degree or another, we are all blind to the transcendent and oppressed by the day-to-day grind.  Jesus has come to restore our sight so that we can see the fundamental beauty that surrounds us.  Jesus has come to liberate us from the tyranny of our private worries so that we can walk freely in the joy of having life in our lungs and the soil under our feet.  Jesus calls us to prayer and worship so that we can truly appreciate the good, true, and the beautiful and be set free from the bondage of sin and death.

Yes, today’s gospel reading is especially for you.  Not people like you – but you.  Directly for you, as an individual person.  And for me.  For each and every one of us.  Jesus spoke to us in the synagogue 2,000 years ago, and he’s alive even now, speaking to us at this very moment – not just through this gospel passage in on page of paper in a book, but in his real presence.

Listen to him!

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† 4:18 NU omits “to heal the broken hearted”

* 4:19 Isaiah 61:1-2

Warrior Mien, a Gun Strip, and the Party's Over: Mettle Maker #441 and Holy Eucharist for 1/19/25

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Mettle maker #441: Aggression Fills Gaps

Is shadow wrestling as good for your martial arts skills as actual wrestling? Nope. But it’s better than not training at all!

The other day we put up a one-minute-and-thirty-second video of the most basic pistol strip (see video on the right). Obviously this is a very complex subject and this was one video, demonstrating an isolated tactic, not a complete treatment of gun defense strategy.

Nonetheless, a commenter said, “anybody that knows anything knows that you never stand with an arms length reach of someone when pointing a firearm, that’s just like a common sense thing you always keep a bit of a distance. But hopefully bad people with bad intentions don’t realize that.”

I’m not sure, but this may reveal if-then-then-that thinking, which is anathema in the martial arts. You learn techniques, and you drill things, and you spar, and you build up instincts. Learning to fight is a lot like learning to cook. You do not memorize techniques and how to apply them, any more than a master chef memorizes recipes.

I replied, “Very true. If he's further away, you might want to just run instead (in a famous study some years ago, only 23% of NYC cops could hit a moving target at 10' or more). Virtually anything is likely better than allowing oneself to be bound, taken to a secluded location, told to face the wall, etc. Thanks for visiting!”

If someone points a gun at you with intent to kill and there’s ten feet between you, you’re going to have to do something. That could be running away, diving for cover, trying to arm yourself, or something else I can’t think of right now. Or it could be charging him with complete aggression and utter recklessness, like a U.S. infantryman on Omaha Beach, facing an nearly impossible task with courage.

Intent is the secret sauce.

So it’s very important to practice warrior mien — facial expression, bearing, presence, and demeanor. If you need to rush a malefactor, you want him to wince and recoil in fear. In short, you need to scare the crap out of him.

Hey — if you haven’t done so already, consider signing up for a totally free mind-body-spirit program that incorporates self-defense, fitness, outdoor skills, and spiritual development — sign up for our free Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time 1/19/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10, 1 Cor 12:4-11, John 2:1-11

John 2:1-11 World English Bible

1 The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”

4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”

6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes† apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

The modern world struggles increasingly with the loss of truth.  Our media says whatever gets the most clicks, whether it’s true or false, in order to sell ads.  Good attention and bad attention are now officially equivalent in the public sphere.  Entertainers behave as shockingly as possible to get attention.  Bad behavior pays as well as good behavior.  Lies sell as well as truth, probably better.  That’s the bad news.  But the Good News is that Jesus Christ is still a beacon of stability and truth amid the chaos.  And this story, the true story of Jesus first miracle and beginning of his ministry, is a cosmic truth.

It is a cosmic truth because it is true at every level of analysis. 

It’s true at the most basic level that every gathering of people requires drink, whether it’s soda, punch, beer, wine, or liquor, and when it’s gone the party’s over.  And, to some extent, nobody can really replenish it.  If the party stops while the hosts go on a beer run, the momentum is gone, and it’s impossible to get back.  Some or all of the partygoers are going to call it a night at that point, either or move on to another party or go home and turn in.

And the truths in this story continue to stack up, every higher.  The world always makes more sense to a child when Mom and Dad are aligned and in agreement.  If you ask Mom and she says “No,” then you go ask Dad and he says, “Yes,” then there’s going to be chaos and conflict, no matter which parent’s direction you accept.  Well, we are all children of God.  And in this story, Jesus’ Mom echoes and recapitulates the instructions that his Father gave us from a  cloud at his baptism.  She says to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”  At his baptism, God his father said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!”  This is as true for the average kid as it us for the average person: things will go better for you if you do as Mom and Dad say.

It's also true that a wedding is the union of two people and two families, and the wine is what washes down the food.  It’s what makes the distasteful bits of one’s new relatives easier to swallow.  It’s what warms everyone’s blood and promotes good cheer.  When people run out of wine, they choke on their food, the mood turns, and the party is over.  Everyone goes home to his or her own place and does his or her own thing.

And now we approach the highest truths on display in this story, namely that the wine is the Blood of Christ – the spirit of sacrifice, selflessness, forgiveness, and grace.  ‘Running out of wine’ is running out of the spirit of patience, unity, and conciliation exemplified by Jesus Christ.  When we run out of that wine, we have to turn to Jesus to transform our water into wine so that we can continue to fuel the get-together – to wash down the distasteful elements of our fellow-man, to warm our hearts, to encourage is to love even our enemies.

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53).  Without Jesus’s blood, which he spilled on a Cross as a sacrifice to save us all, the party is over indeed, and there is no marriage between Christ and his church, or between God and Man.

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† 2:6 2 to 3 metretes is about 20 to 30 U. S. Gallons, or 75 to 115 liters.

Mettle Maker #440: Updated Feats, Good Enough, Spirit and Fire, and Holy Eucharist for 1/12/25

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What’s the weekly mettle maker?

Training tips and educational info in support of our free programs, that’s what! What’s mettle? Mettle is, “The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.”

Mettle maker #440: Good Enough

Is shadow wrestling as good for your martial arts skills as actual wrestling? Nope. But it’s better than not training at all!

Over the years, many students who’ve dropped out of the distance learning program have made excuses like these:

  • “I can’t do this program justice.”

  • “I can’t find training partners. This is a total waste of time.”

  • “I’m sorry, but I just can’t seem to train consistently.”

  • “I’m not in good enough shape to do this.”

  • “I don’t have the knack for this.”

Poppycock. No matter how unskilled or out of shape you think you are, keep attending classes and sending in your monthly training logs.

Send in your logs even if your training log contains just one entry that reads, “I didn’t train at all this month. I suck.”

Quitting equates to a 0% chance of improvement. Continuing to work has a 100% chance of improvement.

  • If the calisthenics exercises are too hard, substitute easier exercises until you get stronger

  • If injuries, age, or infirmity prohibits certain moves, find a substitute (ask your program mentor if you need help)

  • If you only have a few entries this month, send your logs in anyway.

  • If you miss a whole month at the club, come back and train anyway.

  • Nobody is going to shame you for getting slack for a bit.

Something is nearly always better than nothing.

SPEAKING OF WHICH…the updated Feats List is up. Check it out. Go do some feats!

And if you haven’t done so already, consider signing up for a totally free mind-body-spirit program that incorporates self-defense, fitness, outdoor skills, and spiritual development — sign up for our free Rough ‘n’ Tumble Distance Learning Program!

Holy Eucharist is LIVE on YouTube every Sunday at 10 am EASTERn. Click HERE to watch live. To view and print a copy of the program for holy Eucharist, CLICK HERE.

Homily for the Baptism of the Lord 1/12/25 – Father Mitch

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10, Acts 10:34-38, Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 World English Bible

As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, 16 John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. The sky was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

 

We have all had someone we love and respect give us valid, negative feedback.  When we were children and young adults, parents and teachers gave us constructive criticism.  As adults, our supervisors, bosses and leaders do this.  Coaches and mentors, doctors and pastors, friends and relatives, all provide positive direction to us throughout our various stages of growth. 

If we accept these criticisms and take corrective action, we can get smarter, stronger, healthier, happier, less sinful, more successful at work and at play, and so on.  But criticism can hurt.  It can really sting to have someone we love and respect point out our flaws, mistakes, and missteps.  But if we take it on the chin, valid criticism will burn away some of our imperfections and refine our ore.  We can get our raw iron a little closer to becoming steel if we internalize the criticism and take action.

Imagine, however, what it will be like to meet Jesus face-to-face and have every single one of our faults become apparent to us by the light of his love.  Many of our faults we can’t even see.  But when the loving light of the Lord shines on us in Judgement, every single thing we’ve done wrong, as well as every fault public and private, will be revealed.  Try to imagine the fiery guilt and burning shame we will experience.  But remember that God is Love.  There is no hatred, no malice, no anger in the Lord.  His loving, holy face simply acts like a perfect mirror in which we will all see ourselves in perfect focus. As St. Paul says in 1 Cor 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.”  God’s love reveals to us our sins and faults in a loving way.  St. Paul adds in the next verse, “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

And with this, I think, we begin to approach what St. John the Baptist is getting at when he says, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he…will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.”  God is Love.  The fire of Judgement contains no indignation, no vengeance, no anger – only pure and  purifying, truthful love.

But the truth still hurts.  If we resist the truth, turn away, and allow resentment to set in, things will only get worse.  “How dare Coach tell me I need to spend more time in the batting cage?”  “Who does my boss think he is, telling me I’m not getting my work done right?”  “I’m okay just the way I am.”  “These ten commandments are outdated.  So what if I break a couple of them?  I’m still a good person.”  The more we think this way, nursing our resentment or clinging to the rightness of our disordered thoughts, desires, actions, and beliefs, and ignoring criticism to the contrary, the more our sins consume us.  This is how, brothers and sisters, we make the world into Hell – by embracing, rather than facing, our faults.  By spreading them, promoting them, and hatching them.  This Hell of our own making corresponds, albeit at a lower pitch and level, to the fires of Hell that await those who put off facing their faults until the end of time.

The baptism of water and spirit administered by fellow believers washes us clean and welcomes us into the company of the faithful.  Even Jesus, in his human capacity, was baptized by water and joined with us in this way.  But the baptism of Spirit and Fire, the baptism of the incomprehensible and limitless Love showered on us by God, welcomes us into the Kingdom of Heaven.