Autodidactic: Mettle Maker #299

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

Autodidactic: Mettle Maker #299

Self-defense and Fitness combo: Do some calisthenics. Regardless of which program you’re in, be it Heritage Self-Defense or Heritage Fitness, watch the video on the right and get ‘er done. If you’re new around here, we call these things constitutionals. Interested in one of our free programs? Click here to sign up for Heritage Self-defense, or check out the also-free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention they’re free?

View fullsize

Some of my favorite outdoor skills resources.

Wildwood: Read a good book and then go practice what you learned. I am, for the most part, a self-taught outdoorsman. I’ve only taken a handful of classes, mostly through my membership in MAPS Group (Mid-Atlantic Primitive Skills Group). The best ones were taught by the very powerful Tim MacWelch. Mostly what I’ve done is read books and then I’ve gone out, gotten dirty, and tried out the stuff in the books. Why don’t you give that a try? On the left is a photo of some of my favorite outdoor skills resources. All of them are books except for the DVD on the very top of the pile. That’s Wild Edibles and Medicinals of Appalachia by the incredible Ila Hatter, a renowned naturalist and descendant of Pocahontas. The one on the left is The Wildwood Workbook by yours truly. Interested in a free earn at home program that will encourage you to practice, keep you on track, and reward you with rank bandanas? Click here to sign up for the totally-free Heritage Wildwood distance learning program.

Spirit: Why do bad things happen to good people? This is called the problem of evil. If you don’t have an answer to this question, it will likely prove fatal to your happiness, your health, and your spirit. I suggest getting started today. Blaming God for tragedy and evil causes loss of faith, emptiness, hopelessness, and nihilism. In times past, folks would’ve arrived at a satisfactory position on the problem of evil during grade school, and would’ve made it more robust into adulthood. Nowadays, the state of philosophical and theological teaching is so poor, that the average adult — Christian or otherwise — is unlikely to have adequately contended with it. Have you? I prefer the free will defense, which I think Jesus makes in Luke 13:1-9. which is the gospel reading for tomorrow, and on which I will be homilizing. Stay tuned! CLICK HERE to join our email list and to begin participating in church activities. And if you need someone to talk to, CLICK HERE to set up a phone call with archdeacon Mitch.

Luke 13:1-9 New International Version

13 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Screens (a short film)

Holy Communion 3/13/22: The Perfect Teacher

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the second Sunday of Lent, 3/13/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. Please click here to schedule a chat with archdeacon Mitch if you are in need of pastoral counseling. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent -- Sunday 3/13/22

Readings: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18, Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14, Phil 3:17—4:1, Lk 9:28b-36

Luke 9:28-36  American Standard Version

28 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling. 30 And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah; 31 who appeared in glory, and spake of his [a]decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but [b]when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three [c]tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said. 34 And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is [d]my Son, my chosen: hear ye him. 36 And when the voice [e]came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

Brothers and sisters, it’s important for us to realize that the episode we read about in the Gospel of Luke today, which we call the Transfiguration, is a miracle, sign and wonder unlike anything else we see in the Bible.  It is completely unique in its content and character.

What sets it apart is that it is not a performance or a demonstration that was orchestrated solely for the benefit of the apostles or for us.  The apostles present were sleeping.  They awoke to find the event already in progress.  They, and by extension we, are only intended to see the end of the interaction between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  The question is, “What did they miss? What did we miss?”

We are told that Jesus has been praying.  To pray is to ask, and it appears that the answer to Jesus’ prayers was the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and that the three of them were discussing Jesus’ coming exodus.  We can only assume that Jesus, who was preparing himself to make his miraculous exodus out of death into life through the Resurrection, is drawing on the knowledge and experience of his predecessors.  If you want to know how to lead foolish and ignorant people through a desert into a land of promise, who better to ask than Moses?  If you want to know how to turn the hearts and minds of sinful idolators back toward God, who better to ask then Elijah?  If you want to know how performing signs and wonders will affect you personally as well as those who witness them, who’s better to ask than Moses and Elijah?

In the Transfiguration we see our great teacher being taught by the greatest teachers and prophets of the Old Testament. We see him reconciling, elevating, and indeed perfecting all that came before.  All great teachers stand on the shoulders of the great teachers from whom they learned.  What we see in the Transfiguration is not a self-contained incident but the culmination of the life’s work of the world’s greatest teacher.

Jesus has achieved his perfection as a teacher, leader, and prophet.  This intellectual accomplishment is so incredible, so earth-shattering, and so profound that it brings with it a transfiguration of his countenance.  The light of Glory is made to pervade and surround him.  God himself appears and from a cloud proclaims the identity of his son. 

But even this miracle pales in comparison to the Easter miracle.  For then, through the power of the Resurrection, Jesus becomes wholly perfect – not just perfect in his teaching and intellect, but in his physical body as well – and becomes the risen Christ.

Step Up: Mettle Maker #298

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

Step Up: Mettle Maker #298

Self-defense: Footwork drills. On paper this is as easy as puddin’ ‘n’ pie — but in real life it’s a whole other matter. Assume your dominant fighting stance. Complete 6 reps of each of the 8 essential foot maneuvers of Western martial arts: Front Lunge, Back Lunge, Rear Lunge, Surge (forward, then off-angle backward), Skip Step (forward then off-angle backward), Split Step, Switch Step, and Décollage. Switch to non-dominant fighting stance and repeat. If you don’t know what these foot maneuvers are, perhaps you’d benefit from the Heritage Self-Defense program. Click here to sign up — it’s free.

Fitness: A go-to fitness routine. When I’m asked to recommend a simple fitness routine, or I’m stuck in a hotel with no gym, or I need a training idea with zero prep time, this is my go-to. It even has a built-in warm-up and cool-down. Complete a pyramid of Push-ups, Jackknifes, and Squats. Do 1 of each, 2 of each, 3, 4, 5, etc. Beginners climb to 5, intermediate to 7, advanced to 10. Then go back down he pyramid to 1. A full pyramid to 5 = 25 reps of each, 7 = 49, and 10 = 100. Need help designing a fitness program that suits your specific needs? Enroll in the free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention it’s free?

Wildwood: When was the last time you went for a hike? Stop fantasizing about it. Step up. Pick a route, set a date, text your friends, send out an evite or whatever, and go. If nobody shows up, go by yourself. Life’s too short to sit around waiting for things to happen! Actually go do the things you want to do. Maybe you always wanted to hike in the Swiss Alps, but you’re broke. Well, I bet there are some mountains within driving distance that you could go hike instead! If you want daily inspiration sent straight to your cell phone, and you want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival, click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.

Spirit: Where do you find God? At the end of your rope. In tomorrow’s readings we’re going to have to contend with a dark and frightening tale from Genesis 15 that ends in an important promise. See below for a sneak peak. There are a ton of adorable, witty, memorable quotes and aphorisms to remind us of how to deal with situations like this: it’s always darkest before dawn, things have to get worse before they get better, you have to make a mess before you clean one up, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, etc. But in real life, getting through a dark patch isn’t something you can navigate that easily. You need the support of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the company of brothers and sisters in Christ. CLICK HERE to join our email list and to begin participating in church activities. And if you need someone to talk to, CLICK HERE to set up a phone call with Archdeacon Mitch.

Genesis 15: 10-12, 17-18 American Standard Version

And God said unto Abram,

“Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not. 11 And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.

17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces. 18 In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”

Holy Communion 3/6/22: Standing on Faith

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the first Sunday of Lent, 3/06/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent -- Sunday 3/6/22

Readings: Dt 26:4-10, Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, Rom 10:8-13, Lk 4:1-13

 Luke 4:1-13  American Standard Version

 4 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led in the Spirit in the wilderness 2 during forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command this stone that it become bread. 4 And Jesus answered unto him, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone. 5 And he led him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship before me, it shall all be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 9 And he led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10 for it is written,

 He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee: 11 and,  

On their hands they shall bear thee up,

Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.

 12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, [g]Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God. 13 And when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him for a season.

 We, as baptized Christians, sometimes experience manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the form of apprehensions of the truth. We see the world in a new way.  Our vision clears and we start to see the lies, corruption and evil both large and small that permeate human kingdoms; and, like Jesus, we begin to turn our backs on the ways of the world.  That can feel like going into a desolate, lonely place.

When our friends are all out drinking, carousing, and partying, getting drunk and having a great time, we feel left out. When family members put rich foods and decadent treats on the table, we are invited to overindulge.  When our neighbors are driving fancy cars and wearing fine clothes, we’re enticed to do the same.  The devil makes us feel out of place, uncomfortable, like outcasts for being different. 

But Jesus has a message for us.  The less value we place on the needs of the body, the more we are able to happily do without during difficult times, and the more willingly and joyfully we can share with those less fortunate.  He tells us that one does not live by bread alone.  Food, wholesome entertainment, clean clothes, a safe bed – the simple pleasures of life – provide for the health and nourishment and of the body.  Denying the temptation toward excess provides nourishment of the spirit.

The temptations of the mind are every bit as potent as the temptations of the flesh.  We are surrounded by the petty kingdoms of humanity.  Every workplace has its little princes and every social group its princesses, the kings and queens of the TV shows and movies strut back and forth, emperors and empresses that rule the nations of the world are flex their muscles and flash their smiles.  And guess what?  We too can have a piece of the pie that is power.  All we have to do is suck up to our bosses, behave like our pop icons, or march in lock step with politicians and pundits, and compromise a little morality for expediency.  The devil says, “If you’re going to make an omelet you have to break a few eggs, am I right?”  Jesus says no, plain and simple. “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”

Denying the temptations of the flesh and of the mind are high aspirations and lofty goals.  As Christians we know that our God is merciful.  Jesus tells us, in Matt. 5:45, that our Heavenly Father “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”  If we make a mistake or two, and we honestly repent, we can reasonably hope that we’ll be forgiven.  But what happens if we begin to think that resistance of these temptations is impossible?  What if we think ourselves around to the position that God’s expectations of us are exaggerated?

In today’s Gospel reading we get an answer.  Standing on faith alone and throwing ourselves off expecting God to catch us would be like doing what the devil tempted Jesus to do in our Gospel reading for today.   Jesus says to us, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”  Resisting the temptations of the world is almost impossible, but we have to fight the good fight!

Quickening Cut: Mettle Maker #297

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

Quickening Cut: Mettle Maker #297

Self-defense: Knife constitutional. Wrap up weapon week with a knife constitutional. Complete as many as you can in 2 minutes of each: Get-ups, Push-ups, Pikes, Shrimps, Prisoner Get-ups, Sprints, and Jackknifes (14 mins total). Complete a slash/hack/stab combo between each rep, and change hands and grips often. Weapons of opportunity have to be wielded however your hand falls on them. See video on the right for more info. If this material seems foreign, perhaps you’d benefit from the Heritage Self-Defense program. Click here to sign up — it’s free.

Each of these has 140 calories: 2 slices of whole wheat bread, 2 eggs, 3 oz of lean roast beef, 2 mandarin oranges, and .68 ounces of butter (just shy of 1 1/2 tbsp).

Fitness: Too many calories from fat? My definition of fitness is being fit to fight, but then, I’m a self-defense instructor. For lots people though, fitness means looking good with your shirt off. If that’s your definition, and your concern is that you’re overweight, the way forward is dietary. Eat less calories. And since fat has almost twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates do by weight, being careful about fat intake is a great way to start. If you’re a Luddite like me, put a pad and pen in your purse or pocket, otherwise download an app on your phone to keep track of what you eat for a week. 9 out of 10 people who do this find that they eat too little protein and twice as much fat as they thought they ate. Need help designing a fitness program that suits your needs? Enroll in the free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention it’s free?

Wildwood: Cut the crap, and take a stab at friction fire. “I could figure it out if I had to,” you say to yourself, or “I did that in the scouts when I was a kid. It’s like riding a bike.” Well, if you mean because it’s so easy to crash, you’re right. Actually go do it. And if you get stuck, or you want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival, click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.

Spirit: Put a knife to your own throat? In Proverbs 23 we read the passage below. The metaphor here is a powerful one. To “put a knife to someone’s throat” is to threaten death to get compliance. So, to put a knife to your own throat is to force yourself to act as though your life depends on your actions. In this case, the action in question is to quell your appetite for money and power in the presence of a powerful person. Why do you think the ancient Hebrews thought this was of life or death importance? Read the passage below and contemplate what this means to you in your life. When you sit down with your supervisor or boss, do you check your appetites, or do you bow, scrape, and fawn to get into his good graces? When you have a meeting with a powerful customer or client, are you honest and forthright, or do you like and schmooze to get a slice of his pie? Dig deep, self-analyze, and write a few words in your journal. And if you don’t journal, you should start today. If this sort of thing is appealing to you, CLICK HERE to join our email list and participate in church activities.

Proverbs 23:1-5 (Revised Standard Version)

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what[a] is before you;

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you are a man given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

4 Do not toil to acquire wealth;

be wise enough to desist.

5 When your eyes light upon it, it is gone;

for suddenly it takes to itself wings,

flying like an eagle toward heaven.

Holy Communion 2/27/22: Speaking from the Heart

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2/27/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 2/27/22

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  American Standard Version

39 And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit? 40 The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye. 43 For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

 Actor and race car driver Steve McQueen, the so-called “King of Cool” who was the peak of his popularity during the ’60s and ‘70s, was famous for choosing the movie scripts with the least dialogue.  The iconic actor, known for popular movies like The Sand Pebbles, The Magnificent Seven, Papillon, and The Great Escape, understood that the less he said, the more his words would be heard.  Steve McQueen was right.  Many of you may have noticed that I limit my homilies to 500 words.  An unceasing drone, like the whirring of a fan, fades into the background.  But a single word uttered in silent theater echoes like a peal of thunder.

That’s how it is for a mortal actor. But God’s Word explodes into the darkness of non-existence in the book of Genesis.  When God speaks time, space, and all of reality into being, do we imagine he spoke literal words from material lips?  No.  Rather, we understand that his Word was so perfect, so pure and so simple – so singular! – that it contained no literal words at all.  A speech of infinite words has no meaning; a speech of infinite meaning has no words. 

This is why those who talk the most – politicians, pundits, publicists, and pitchmen – are often the ones we perceive as the least truthful.  The more someone talks, the more contradictions and lies appear, both intentional and unintentional.  And we hear this echoed in Sirach 27:4, “When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear.”  When nuts, seeds, and grain are crushed and placed in a sieve, the small, delicious kernels fall through out of sight, and the worthless outer covering remains caught in the screen for all to see.  The idea is that the most perfect speech is the most simple, pure and truthful – this is the origin of the phrase, “a kernel of truth.” 

 From this we take the lesson that, as evangelists of the Word, we should emulate God and be very precise and careful in our speech.  The more perfect, pure and truthful we are when we open our mouths, the more wonderful things we can speak into being – the more positive inspiration, the more motivation toward charity, the more beautiful ideas, the more words of love and encouragement toward goodness.

Now, returning to our Gospel reading for today, it should be obvious why Jesus brings together several seemingly dissimilar metaphors into a single parable.  If we all take the logs out of our own eyes before trying to help remove splinters from the eyes of others – that is, if we focus our attention first on perfecting our own thoughts, desires, actions, and beliefs – we are making ourselves into trees that can’t help but bear good fruit.  We’ll be people whose actions speak louder than words, and speakers of the Word whose words ring true.  We will cease to be the blind leading the blind, and all become teachers in the image of our teacher Jesus Christ. 

Reflections in Sweat and Dewdrops: Mettle Maker #296

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

Reflections in Sweat and Dewdrops: Mettle Maker #296

Self-defense: Wrestling Half-Pyramid. Wrap up wrestling week with a half-pyramid of Shrimp, Buck, Reverse, Circle and Shin Ride. A half-pyramid is 1 of each, 2 of each, 3, 4, 5, etc.. Beginners climb to 6 (21 reps of each), intermediate climb to 8 (36 reps of each) and advanced to 10 (55 reps of each). Take as few 12-count breaks as you must in order to finish. If this material seems foreign, perhaps you’d benefit from the Heritage Self-Defense program. Click here to sign up — it’s free.

Fitness: 4-minute Thruster Challenge. This one comes from the mind of the amazing Dan John. Set a Tabata timer — repeating rounds of :20/:10. Pick up either dumbbells or a barbell. Start the timer and complete 8 rounds of as many Thrusters as you can for 20 seconds and 10 seconds of rest. Beginners use total weight equal to about 20% of bodyweight (if you’re 150, use #15 dumbbells or a #30 barbell). Sound easy? It ain’t. Need help designing a fitness program that suits your needs? Enroll in the free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention it’s free?

Wildwood: Are you making assumptions? Do you say things to yourself like, “Oh, that’s easy. If I didn’t have any water, I’d just…”? Maybe your mouth is writing a check that your stressed-out, stranded, less-than-ideal self can’t cash. Maybe your imaginary self is a lot more skilled than your for-real self. No excuses. You need to go to the back side of yonder to practice your survival skills. Go out your back door and train. The wide world is waiting. Go say “hi.” See the video on the left. Want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival? Click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.

Spirit: Are you trying to “win” at Christianity? As a person who’s always trying to promote, succeed and produce, I know how hard it is to get wrapped up on achievements and forget that being in Christ is the goal. Watch the video below, and join with me brothers and sisters in the is important reflection. If this sort of thing is appealing to you, CLICK HERE to join our email list and participate in church activities.

Holy Communion 2/20/22: Losing Gracefully

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2/20/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 2/20/22

Readings: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23, Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13, 1 Cor 15:45-49, Lk 6:27-38

 Luke 6:27-38  American Standard Version

27 But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, 28 bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. 29 To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also. 30 Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 32 And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, [h]never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 36 Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

37 And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released: 38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.

Brothers and sisters, the other day I went to my twelve-year-old nephew’s basketball game with family and friends.  It was at a Catholic school attached to Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Goochland, Virginia.  And on the wall of the gymnasium at the highest point, on the most prominent wall, there was a huge crucifix.  As we waited for the game to begin, a friend and a student of mine at the Heritage Self-Defense class that I teach, a young man in his twenties named Jack, wisecracked, “What’s with the giant Jesus on the wall?  Is that like ‘Jesus bless this game’ or something?”  And there were a few chuckles in the group.

And I didn’t say anything.  Because nobody likes a pompous windbag who can’t take a joke, timing is everything, and I knew that in the right circumstances, Jack would be open to a lesson on this. 

So I waited.  And the following week, after I wrapped up the spiritual training portion of the class, at the very end of the session, I sensed Jack was receptive.  I said, “Hey Jack, you made a joke about Jesus blessing the basketball game the other day, and I’ve been meaning to speak to that. 

“Your joke got a few laughs and that’s because, well, it was kind of funny.  Humor almost always diffuses tension.  The joke sets up a strange or awkward situation, like ‘A horse walks into a bar...’ and the punchline resolves it.  ‘…and the bartender says, “So, why the long face?”’ You perceived the tension – this happy game and above it all an image of torture and suffering – and you resolved it.

“But I just want to make sure you know that Jesus isn’t blessing the basketball game, and that’s not why an image of him was placed on the wall.  Jesus blesses the poor and hungry and leads them into triumph over the tyranny of earthly desires.  Jesus blesses those who weep in empathy and are despised by their fellow man for telling the truth.  He does this by leading them toward the joy and love that come from doing what’s right even when it it’s unpopular and by calling them to relieve the suffering of others.

“Jesus is on the wall of the gym to remind us to see through his eyes, not through ours.  He’s there to remind us that “in Christ we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).”  We should look at that crucifix and see the basketball game as an opportunity to be in Christ.  This is our chance to be patient and understanding with the referee, even if when his bad calls are stealing the game from our side.  It’s our chance to be noble and generous whether we win or lose, and even if the other team cheats.  It’s our opportunity to be at peace despite taunts and heckling.  If we can’t be Christlike for an hour in the gym, how are we going to be Christlike in the wider world?

“Jesus is on the wall of the gym to remind us that the greatest man who ever lived was betrayed, falsely convicted, slandered by lies, and executed.  He was perfect and look what he got.  So what can we, who are far, far from perfect, expect?  Even if we do our absolute best to be as Christlike as possible, there’s a good chance our reward is going to be pain, rejection, hatred and suffering.”

Brothers and sisters, our assignment isn’t to win.  It’s to lose with grace.   

Possibilities: Mettle Maker #295

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

Possibilities: METTLE MAKER #295

Self-defense: Wrap up grappling week by doing 50 Hip Throws — either with a partner (25 each person), or against a heavy bag or grappling dummy. The better your form, the less strength this takes. Watch the video on the right. If this material seems foreign, perhaps you’d benefit from the Heritage Self-Defense program. Click here to sign up — it’s free.

Fitness & Spirit Combo: Watch the documentary Challenging Impossibly (also embedded below) about the incredible Sri Chinmoy. Just make sure you have your gym bag and a box of tissues handy, because you’re going to cry and then go train. Need help designing a fitness program that suits your needs? Enroll in the free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention it’s free?

Wildwood: Spring is right around the corner — in fact, some spring plants are already breaking ground and shooting green. Get out your wild plant books go scout for spring edibles! See the video on the left. Want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival? Click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.

Holy Communion 2/13/22: Heavenly vs. Material Goods

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2/13/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 2/13/22

Readings: Jer 17:5-8, Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6, 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20, Lk 6:17, 20-26

Luke 6:17, 20-26   American Standard Version

And he [Jesus] came down with them, and stood on a level place, and a great multitude of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judaea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases.

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you, ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.

Brothers and sisters, if we’re to understand today’s Gospel reading, we need to first get clear on the definitions of some key words and phrases that can be very confusing to people like us who are immersed in a materialist culture. Quite literally, what “matters” in this culture are the things made of “matter” while the immaterial is of no worth at all.  To paraphrase the words of theologian David Bentley Hart in his book The Experience of God, our scripture is advertising, our piety is shopping, our highest devotion is choice, the only value at the center of this social universe is the price tag.

This materialist view can rub off on us.  And when we hear the word heaven we can conceive of it as a physical place, like Tahiti or the South of France, and dismiss it as a childish fiction, which it is.  Or, educated by comic books and sci-fi movies, it’s easy to conceptualize heaven as an alternate dimension where, if we only had the proper machine or the right magic spell, we could pop over and have an adventure.  But there is no evidence whatsoever for the existence of alternate universes and we have no need for childish fantasies.  Heaven is real, and for evidence we can rely solely on personal observation. 

What can be more real than love, truth, charity, peace, sacrifice?  These are the most profound realities in our lives!  And, like all things that are real, these “goods” must rest somewhere, in the same way that a cup rests on a table or a pan rests on a stove.  Heaven is then, quite simply, the location of goodness.  When we are in need of help, and help comes to us in the form of a helpful idea or a realization, a word of advice, a kind deed, or what-have-you, the goodness we receive is at once invisible, immaterial, inexplicable, and very, very real.  We can say that the goodness we received “came down to us from heaven.” Heaven is a great word, because it describes reality exactly as we experience it, despite the fact that we don’t understand how it works.    

Now, if heaven is the place of invisible goodness, then the kingdom of God is the invisible state – not a physical state like Florda or Kansas – but a state of being in which we are thinking, desiring, acting and believing in a way that is pleasing to God, our heavenly King.  Remember Luke 17:21 – “The kingdom of God is within you.”  Conversely, when you are behaving in a manner that’s in keeping with the wills and desires of the Satan, you are in a state of damnation.  Each of us moves into and out of these states quite readily – without the aid of U-Haul. So with these understandings, let us turn to today to the words of Jesus. 

Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of God.  In the words of evangelist A. W. Tozer, “the blessed poor are no longer slaves to the tyranny of things” and are able to serve God as loyal subjects.  Fancy homes, finicky sports cars, and fancy stock portfolios demand constant maintenance and attention.  They own us as much as we own them.  And the hamster wheel of consumerism only distracts us from heavenly things.

Blessed are those who are now hungry, for they shall be satisfied.  Freed from the quest for ever more delicious food and pleasurable sensations, we can be ever more devoted to seeking spiritual sustenance.  Thirsting for righteousness and hungry for justice, we will find our satisfaction in the ways of God.

Blessed those who now weep, for they will laugh.  Weeping over the sadness of family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors, we will do the things that relieve their suffering and bring us together in celebration when difficulties have been overcome.  Liberated from the constant quest for fun and entertainment, flitting from one party to the next, from theme park to festival to concert, we are free to laugh and smile at genuine moments of connection.

Blessed are you when people hate, revile, and curse you for believing in Jesus.  What could be a greater compliment than to be at odds with this upside-down-materialist world?  When we cease our addiction to the drug of approval – the most powerful drug of all, delivered every day by means of likes and shares and friend requests via social media – we will receive heavenly rewards instead.  When we do good, not to receive awards and kudos, we gain entrance to the state of being in which God is truly our king.

Woe be unto us if we cling to the ways of this world, brothers and sisters – if we ignore the evidence of the heart, avoid sincere experiences within reach, deny belief in heaven, and rebel against the kingdom of God. For we will get everything we want, but none of what we need in the world to come.

ADVERSITY: METTLE MAKER #294

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

ADVERSITY: METTLE MAKER #294

The word adversity comes from the Latin adversitas which means “turned towards.” Adversity is the headwind at comes when you head in the right direction.

Self-defense: Oblique or Diagonal Kick is one of the most versatile kicks around. Watch the video on the right. Then put in a full round of pushing Oblique Kicks vs. your heavy bag. Then put in a round of striking Oblique Kicks vs. the heavy bag making contact using the heel. Then put in a third round of Oblique kicks vs. either the air or a soft target such as a double-end ball, driving your toes into the target. Note: In Savate Defense they call this by various names such as chassé frontal or chassé Italien.

If this material seems foreign, perhaps you’d benefit from the Heritage Self-Defense program. Click here to sign up — it’s free.

Zercher Squats — courtesy of Wikimedia

Fitness: What’s the safest kind of squat you can do without a spotter? Hip Belt Squats and Yoke Squats, but specialized equipment are required. All things considered, Zercher Squats are probably the way to go if you want to Squat lonesome. Put the bar on a couple of plyo-boxes or other sturdy props, get under it, and go. If the bar hurts your forearms, cut two 8” slices of a 99-cent pool noodle, slit them down the side, and pop them onto your barbell for padding. All gain, no pain! Need help designing a fitness program that suits your needs? Enroll in the free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention it’s free?

Wildwood: Track yourself. So that you don’t get lost doing this exercise, pick a small, tame area that you can extricate yourself from with eases even if you get a little bewildered. Aimlessly meander your way through your selected piece of ground or patch of woods without any regard for where you’re going or where you’ve been. Beginning trackers should deliberately tromp about a bit. Advanced folks should skulk the whole way. Then turn around and track yourself back. Want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival? Click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.

Spirit: Those who are truly attempting to walk the path of righteousness should always expect difficult times and malicious enemies. To be clear, we are not talking about performative righteousness: trying to look good while being self-serving in one’s heart, deliberately courting controversy, starting fights and arguments to prove points, or any of that. Even if you are being completely meek — keeping your head down, staying in your lane, and humbly working at living your life in imitation of Christ — you can expect difficulties. The people of the world and its systems are very often possessed by greed, selfishness, materialism, depravity, corruption, malice, and so on. The actions of a righteous man, even if his mouth is completely silent, will make him a target. Expect adversity. Being righteous gives you a strong back with which to carry your personal cross. For more on this topic, come back to this blog tomorrow and listen to the homily in tomorrow’s Holy Communion.

Holy Communion 2/06/22: We Too Are Fishers of Men

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2/6/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 2/6/22

Readings: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8, Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8, 1 Cor 15:1-11, Lk 5:1-11

 Luke 5:1-11   American Standard Version

 Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat. And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets. And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking; and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken; and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.

Nowadays we’re so removed from the cattlemen, farmers and fishermen who produce and gather our food supply that we don’t think about them at all, much less consider the importance of the people who make our food available to us.  My family and friends tease me about making acquaintance with the cashiers, baggers, and stockers at the local chain grocery store.  To my way of thinking though, if I had lived in the time of Christ, I would’ve known well the men and women who fed my village.  These days we just complain about the high price of groceries.  But back then, if Peter got no catch, he and the entire village went hungry.  And when his nets were filled, all rejoiced and happily paid a fair price for his haul.  So the least I can do is remember the names of the nice folks who work at my grocery store, ask how their families are doing, and take a genuine interest in them.

So, in this context, we enter into this Gospel reading and see that after a failed night of fishing, Peter has stepped out of his boat and is cleaning his nets.  He is not working or toiling. He is taking a moment to re-evaluate how he has been approaching his life.  Isn’t that what a smart person does after a bad day at work?  Don’t you take some time to think about what went wrong and how to do better tomorrow?  Peter is washing his nets.  He’s washing away his preconceived notions, opening himself to a new way of seeing and being in the world to the benefit of himself and his village, and he’s ready to receive a new method of gathering physical and spiritual sustenance into the community.

And so, with crowds hungry for teaching pressing in, Jesus takes over Peter’s boat.  That boat is Peter’s life and livelihood, it’s the way Peter feeds himself, his family, and his neighborhood.  He allows Jesus to step into it that boat and take it over completely.  His boat is now Christ’s boat.  Despite having caught nothing all night, Peter has faith.  He goes out into deeper water, casts his net, and lands a net-breaking catch – a foreshadowing of his evangelization’s future success.

Friends, our boats can be dangerous and scary places, tossed by waves, raised and lowered by tides, blown off course by winds, capsized by storms, and attacked by pirates.  Our nets can become dirty.  They can be ripped by sharp-toothed fish, shredded on the rocks, and stolen by thieves.  But if in good faith we cleanse, mend, and protect our nets and if we let Christ take command of our boats, it is possible for us to sail through this life in a new way.  That doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing.  It just means that we’ll be able to go out into deep water, reach down into the darkened depths, and bring up the good, the true, and the beautiful.  We can gather up the Holy Spirit and share it with those in want. 

We too can be fishers of men.

DANCE AND BREATHE: METTLE MAKER #293

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

DANCE AND BREATHE: METTLE MAKER #293

Self-defense: First, watch the video on the right. Then, for extra credit, conduct a footwork self-review. Although it comes to the fore of the tongue when fighting unarmed, footwork techniques are central to the conversation of fighting in general. All footwork techniques should be on display all the time when fighting. Set a timer to beep on 1 minute intervals and get this done, shadowboxing as you do:

• Lunge (assorted front, side, and rear) - 1 min.

• Surge (forward, side, back) - 1 min.

• Skip (forward and back) - 1 min.

• Cross (front and rear) - 1 min.

• Décollage - 1 min.

• All mixed - 3 min..

• Extra time on maneuvers requiring greater fluency - 2 mins.

  ——————————————

  Total: 10 minutes

  Is this material seems foreign, perhaps you’d benefit from the Heritage Self-Defense program. Click here to sign up — it’s free. And then watch the video on the right.

Fitness: Knock out the following constitutional, 25 of each: MCL, PUP, SQT, NCR (25 @ way), GUP, SPR, PKS. If these abbreviations don’t make sense, consider that you should be familiar enough with calisthenics in general that the abbreviations are obvious. Want to learn more? Enroll in the free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention it’s free?

Wildwood: If your vehicle broke down in the middle of nowhere, could you hike yourself to safety? Cell phones are not magic wands — they get out of range, they break, and they lose charge. Remember, you might not have a proper backpack, which means you might have to walk a considerable distance while carrying your essentials in a shopping bag. Test out your survival mettle by picking up an awkward object and carrying a considerable distance. Adjust the weight of the object and distance of the walk such that the exercise is difficult but within safe limits based on your personal capabilities. Want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival? Click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.

Spirit: Watch the 3-minute video below. Then actually sit down on your back porch or on a bench at the park and meditate on this topic.

Holy Communion 1/30/22: Elijah, Elisha and the Serpent

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, 1/30/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 1/23/22

Readings: Jer 1:4-5, 17-19, Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17, 1 Cor 12:31—13:13, Lk 4:21-30

Luke 4:21-30 American Standard Version

And he began to say unto them, To-day hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is acceptable in his own country. But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. And they were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things; and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.  But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

 Brothers and sisters, God doesn’t give us what we want – he gives us what we need.  Perhaps I mention this too often, but it’s so very, very important that I’m willing to risk harping on it.  Look here – many people lose their faith when things go wrong in their lives because they think that if they follow the commandments and worship God, that they should get some kind of magical protection.  That’s not Christianity.  That’s paganism, that’s magic, that’s idolatry.  And so you have to understand this so that your faith will be strong.

During the Exodus, after the people had been freed from their slavery in Egypt, the people did nothing but gripe and moan and complain about how much harder freedom was than slavery.  So God put snakes into their path to make their journey even worse.  The people repented and begged Moses to speak with God so that they could get relief from the snakes.  Moses did.  But did God do away with the snakes?  No.  He didn’t even make the snakes stop biting!  God told Moses to make a brass snake and put it on a pole, and he said that if those who were bitten looked at the brass snake, the poison would not kill them.  They were still going to get bitten, the poison was still going to hurt, they were still going to be sick, and still suffer.  They just wouldn’t die. (Numbers 21:4-9)

And then, to really drive this point home, God sends his only begotten son Jesus who says in John 3:14, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.”  Jesus is saying, just like the people in the wilderness all those years ago, you’re still going to suffer, and get sick, and be beset by all kinds of problems.  In fact, you’re still going to die an earthly death.  But those who follow Christ may have hope for a hereafter.

 Okay.  So now to today’s reading.  Jesus is in the temple, and he’s just finished reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 61. 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”

 And Jesus tells them that this scripture is fulfilled in their hearing.  And they say, “Wow, isn’t that great!  God’s chosen one is from right here in our hometown!  Boy oh boy is this is going to be great for us!  We’re going to be liberated from the oppression of the Romans!  Let’s party, let’s celebrate!”  They had heard about Jesus’ miracles in Capernaum, they figured, “If that’s what he did over there, imagine what he’s going to do here!”

But then Jesus shocks them.  He says, like Elijah – who didn’t help the widows here but this one widow way over in Zarephath – his job is to heal others, not himself; to heal foreigners, not his own family.  He mentions Elisha – who doesn’t heal Israel’s lepers, but this one leper who is the general of the opposing army!  Jesus basically tells them in no uncertain terms that they are not going to be getting any special treatment.  In fact, they might not get anything at all!

And do they get the message?  No.  Of course they don’t.  Just like many of us today, they think that if they follow the rules they should get rewarded.  Just like us, when they find out they aren’t going to get what they want, they get frustrated, disappointed, angry and resentful.  So they take Jesus to a cliff to throw him off but, miraculously, he escapes. 

Friends, struggle against the temptation to think the way those people thought.  We are not going to get what we want.  We are going to get what we need.  And what we need is the blessed hope of a share in the Paschal Mystery – in the passion, death, resurrection, and glory of Jesus Christ – so that we may give up our pettiness and selfishness and live our lives in imitation of Christ, as healers and preachers to all the nations, loving our neighbors as ourselves. 

VALLEY FORGE: METTLE MAKER #292

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

VALLEY FORGE: METTLE MAKER #292

View fullsize

Knife and Pistol Command, Mastery, and Fitness

Self-defense: The fourth week of the month is always weapon week. Hopefully you did some command, mastery, and fitness work with a weapon in your hand this week. No problem — next week is a split-week so it’s dedicated to General Self-defense. Couldn’t hurt to do some more. Get your mock weapon of choice and complete 25 each of Bottom Scissors, Crunch ‘n’ Punch, Shrimps, Prisoner Get-ups, Get-ups, Shin Rides, and Side Deadfalls. See video at right for more details (includes a little tidbit about Valley Forge as well). Is this stuff new and different for you? You should evaluate your current program and maybe think about switching to ours. Click here to sign up — it’s free.

Fitness: Go back in time and ask the folks at Valley Forge what “fitness” is and see what they say. Ask a hunter what “fitness” is, and he or she might suggest that fitness is being able to stand stock still for three hours in sub-freezing temperatures, or being able to silently skulk for 100 yards in a crouch (see the Heritage Wildwood drill below). Fitness depends. Need help tweaking your fitness program, or want help designing one from scratch? Enroll in the free Heritage Self-Defense Distance Learning Program or maybe click here to sign up for the free Heritage Fitness Program. Did I mention they’re both free?

View fullsize

Valley Forge by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. Excellent book

Wildwood: Could you have survived the hell that was Valley Forge? Could you have lived on boiled leather scraps, slept on frozen mud in cramped, hastily-built log cabins, and gone to war with no shoes? Within a couple of months there wasn’t so much as a rustling rat or a scraggly plantain within 10 miles of Valley Forge because they stalked and ate every critter and harvested every edible plant. Can you slowly skulk for at least 100 yards? See video below and work the drill. Want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival? Click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.

Spirit: The men who survived Valley Forge had been hit by just about every suffering, indignity and malady that a human can endure short of being crushed by his own tombstone. Facing and surviving a brush with death, whether it is short or prolonged, provides a certain clarity that’s hard to define. The only way to get close without going through it is to meditate on death. Here is an other excerpt from Jeremy Taylor’s Holy Dying (1651). If this sort of thing interests you, come to this blog every Sunday for Holy Communion and worship with us, and click the button on the right to subscribe to the church newsletter.

“He that would die well must always look for death, every day knocking at the gates of the grave; and then the gates of the grave shall never prevail upon him to do him mischief. This was the advice of all the wise and good men of the world, who, especially in the days and periods of their joy and festival egressions, chose to throw some ashes into their chalices, some sober remembrances of their fatal period. Such was the black shirt of Saladine; the tombstone presented to the Emperor of Constantinople on his coronation-day; the Bishop of Rome's two reeds with flax and a fax-taper; the Egyptian skeleton served up at feasts; and Trimalcion's banquet in Petronius, in which was brought in the image of a dead man's bones of silver, with spondyles exactly returning to every of the guests, and saying to every one, that you and you must die, and look not one upon another, for every one is equally concerned in this sad representment.” ~Jeremy Taylor, Holy Dying (Chapter 2, Section 1)

Holy Communion 1/23/22: Memorial of St. Vincent of Saragossa

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, 1/23/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

CLICK HERE TO GET AN EMAIL OF EACH SUNDAY’S SERVICE IN YOUR EMAIL BOX and to receive email updates about the mission of St. Barachiel Chapel.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 1/23/22

Readings: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10, Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15, 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27, Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21  

Yesterday, brothers and sisters, was the feast day of St. Vincent of Saragossa, and today we’re going to take advantage of our option to celebrate his memorial.  St. Vincent was born in the 3rd century and died in the year 304.  He was a deacon, an assistant to Bishop Valerius of Spain, who suffered under a speech impediment.  St. Vincent was his spokesman.  So, when Bishop Valerius was thrown in prison by the Roman governor Dacian during the Christian persecutions ordered by Emperor Diocletian, St. Vincent was taken in as well.

Bishop Valerius was banished, but St. Vincent’s outspoken manner made him the subject of severe torture. His flesh was pierced with iron hooks, he was bound and roasted on a red-hot gridiron, and tossed into a prison cell whose floor was strewn with broken pottery.  His demeanor was so calm and unmoved in the face of his extreme suffering that when he died at peace his jailer repented of his sins and was converted to the Christian faith – an occurrence not uncommon in the lives of saints and martyrs by the way.

After his death his body was cast onto a muckheap and would’ve been devoured by vultures had it not been protected by ravens.  Dacian then ordered the body interred at sea, where it washed ashore and was taken by the faithful to be interred at Cape St. Vincent on the coast of Portugal which now bears his name.  A shrine was built on the spot, and ravens continued to protect his body, so much so that 800 years later, when Spain and Portugal were under Muslim rule, the place was referred to as Kanīsah al-Ghurāb or “The Church of the Raven.”

The raven, of course, is the dire black bird that leads the spirits of the departed toward the afterlife in the old pagan myths. But in Genesis the raven is the first bird Noah released to find dry land after the flood, and in the old art of Alchemy, the raven symbolized the first stage of development in the Great Work – the perfection of the soul in and the manufacture of the heal-all known as the Philosopher’s Stone.  The Savior himself references the raven in the Gospel of Luke 12:22-25.  Jesus said,  

“Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment. Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life? If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?” Luke 12:22-25 American Standard Version

I assure you that Jesus Christ, the Word Made Flesh, the Author of Life, did not randomly select the raven – a bird that feeds on waste and carrion and symbolizes death – for use in his sermon. The raven reminds us that every breath may be our last, and if we live their lives steeped in this knowledge, we can live life to the fullest no matter how dark our lives become.  Perhaps we can even have the courage of St. Vincent of Saragossa.  Let, therefore, the knocks and rattles of the raven’s eerie call be as a proclamation to you. Fear not death. But rather take flight!

INTENSITY: METTLE MAKER #291

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

INTENSITY: METTLE MAKER #291

“Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap.” Luke 12:24

Self-defense: The fourth week of the month is always weapon week. Set a goal to execute 200 strikes per day (100 with each hand) using either a mock weapon vs. your heavy bag or with a live weapon vs. a pell or weapon post. If a carpenter can drive nails all day, 7 days a week for 30 years and call it a job well done, you should be able to summon up enough intensity to play pretend combat for 5 minutes every day for one lousy week. Get there.

Fitness: What’s “intensity level” in weightlifting terms? If the max you can bench press for 1 rep (“1RM”) is 160 lbs. then you should be able to do a set of 10 with 75% of that number, or 10 x 120 lbs. The percentage of 1RM is generally referred to as “intensity level.” The higher the intensity level the higher the drain on your central nervous system (CNS). If you’re a power lifter, you like intensity. Lifting is your sport. “Intensity means gains bro!” CNS drain from lifting is expected and accepted. But if you’re a martial artist or a tennis player, and you’re lifting at more than about 75%, the CNS drain will tend to steal the intensity from your martial arts training, your tennis training, or what-have-you. Put your intensity where it belongs! Need help tweaking your program, or want help designing one from scratch? Enroll in the free Heritage Self-Defense Distance Learning Program or maybe click here to sign up for the free Heritage Fitness Program. Did I mention they’re both free?

View fullsize

Snow tracking is fun. Done that lately?

Wildwood: Lots of snow this week in the East and Southeast, plenty right here in Richmond, VA. Something about the snow really makes being in the woods more intense. Perhaps it’s because it’s relatively rare where I live. Anyway, snow tracking is great fun. You can spot animal tracks with incredible ease, and snow dampens the sound of your approach if you’re careful and slow in your stalking so that every footfall doesn’t make a scrunch that is. You might even be able to sprinkle salt on a rabbit’s tail. The old timers used to say that sprinkling salt on a wild animal’s tail made them way easier to catch. Why not test out the axiom and have some fun in the bargain? By the way, do you know how to appropriately camouflage yourself in snowy conditions? Unless you’re a soldier trying to make yourself invisible to aerial recon, the best plan is to wear white pants (and boots if you have them) with a camo jacket. Common sense really. Just look out into the snowy woods. White on the bottom, camo on top, right?

Spirit: Here is another meditation from my forthcoming book tentatively titled The Art of Dying Well: Forty Memento Mori Meditations.

Jesus said, “Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment. Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life? If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?” Luke 12-22-25 American Standard Version

The Raven is the dire black bird that leads the spirits of the departed toward the afterlife in the old myths. Whenever the Raven enters the story, he reminds us that every breath may be our last and, as everyone knows but few embody, those who live their lives steeped in this knowledge live to the fullest. Just as the raven was the first bird released to find dry land after the flood, in the old art of Alchemy, the raven was the first of the animals associated with the four stages of development in the Great Work – the perfection of the soul in preparation to meet one’s maker and the fabrication of the heal-all known as the Philosopher’s Stone.

Rest assured the Jesus Christ, the Word Made Flesh, the Author of Life, did not randomly select the raven for his sermon. Let, therefore, the knocks and rattles of the Raven’s eerie call be as a proclamation to you. Fear not death. But rather take flight!

If this sort of thing interests you, come to this blog every Sunday for Holy Communion and worship with us, and click the button on the right to subscribe to the church newsletter.

Holy Communion 1/16/22: What is Wine? (John 2:1-11)

Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, 1/16/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.

If you would like to have prayers offered for you, a loved one, a friend, for someone who is suffering, ill or who has departed, please email Archdeacon Mitch at mitch@heritageartsinc.com and we will pray for you. And if you’d like to assist in the beautification, improvement and maintenance of St. Barachiel Chapel, or support our educational mission, please click here to make a donation.

Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 1/16/22

Readings: Is 62:1-5, Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10, 1 Cor 12:4-11, Jn 2:1-11

John 2:1-11 (American Standard Version)

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the [a]ruler of the feast. And they bare it. 9 And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water [b]now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, 10 and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

 Brothers and sisters, what is wine?  Wine is water that has fallen to earth from the clouds, been drawn up into grapevines along with minerals and nutrients, and made into the juice of the grape by action of the sun on the leaves.  Then, with ingenuity and patience, the juice is fermented, aged and decanted by skilled artisans.  Wine is water transformed through the cooperation of nature, man and the grace of God’s creation.

What is special about wine?  In Jesus’ time, not all water was safe to drink.  Without modern detection and treatment methods it wasn’t uncommon for people to suffer from poisoning by bacteria, parasites, and excessive minerals in or near water sources.  But the grapevines filter the water of parasites and minerals, and fermentation kills harmful bacteria. Wine was always pure and safe to drink.  And, on top of all that, wine is delicious and brings with it warmth and joy.

Wine was and is a rather miraculous thing.  But why is providing wine to a wedding banquet the perfect way for the Son of God to begin his ministry?  A wedding, my friends, is an event where a couple and their families are joined together under the blessings of God.  And as they are celebrating, the old wine runs out.  Jesus changes the water in the ritual washing pots into wine.  The message he is sending is that the old way of doing things was good, but they have become empty; they need to be filled up with something miraculous, something greater.  Is it good to wash ourselves, to purify the outside?  Sure it is.  But we should also purify the inside.  We should drink in purity, we should celebrate and be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

This miracle is pointing to a new wedding – the wedding of humanity to God through the miracle of Jesus Christ.  It’s not accidental that this miracle was performed on the third day after Jesus entered Galilee.  Wine is symbolic of blood.  This is a foreshadowing of his rise on the third day after his crucifixion.  And just as the servants and the waiters are aware of the miracle but the headwaiter and the guests are not, the apostles and servants of Jesus Christ will be privy to the Mysteries of the Resurrection that we celebrate today in Holy Communion – and may hope to be honored guests at the greatest celebration possible, which is resurrection into the Kingdom of God in the time to come.

CLIMB: METTLE MAKER #290

What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!

CLIMB: METTLE MAKER #290

Can you finish this in under 20 minutes with good form?

Self-defense and Fitness combo: See if you can get through this mobility grinder in under 20 minutes: Bear Walks (25 x 4 yards), Crawl (8 x 4 yards, belly no higher than 4” from the dirt), Get-ups (25), Prisoner Get-ups (25), Shoulder Roll (25), Side Deadfall (25), and Sprints (50 x 4 yards). If you think this was fun, you should enroll in the free Heritage Self-Defense Distance Learning Program or maybe click here to sign up for the free Heritage Fitness Program. Did I mention they’re both free?

View fullsize

Wildwood: Can you identify the tree on the right? I spotted this small but perfect specimen this week. If you can’t, you should think about signing up for the Wildwood nature appreciation and survival program. Like all our programs, its free. Here are a couple of hints. If you see the white top of this tree in the distance, you may have found a water source. And this is the tree that Zacchaeus climbed and sat in order to get a better view of Jesus.

Spirit: Here is another excerpt from my forthcoming book, “The Craft of Dying Well.“

“In the world there will be tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33

During his time on earth, Christ was as fully human as you are. He died, rose from the tomb after three days, and promises you a share in his resurrection. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) who takes you by the hand that you might go with him to dwell in his father’s house. Death is but your entry into the suffering of the cross. To fear your demise is to doubt Christ’s victory over death. Fear not. Christ has vanquished death, and you will also.

If this sort of thing interests you, come to this blog every Sunday for Holy Communion and worship with us, and click the button on the right to subscribe to the church newsletter.