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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 #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 (stōĭk) 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!
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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”