In this homily from the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr Michael reflects on Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Through a moving story of a friend named John, he explores the difference between false humility and true repentance. It’s not enough to focus on our sin—we must turn our gaze toward the mercy of God. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking more of God. The message is clear: only those who recognise their need for grace will be exalted. A timely word as we near the end of the liturgical year and prepare our hearts for final judgment.

Mercy, Not Me: The Humble Road to God

Jesus offers a juxtaposition of the arrogant Pharisee and the humble sinner to help us see that our posture toward God matters more.

Love in persistent prayer
Proper 25C  | Luke 18:9-14

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/10/26/holding-a-posture-of-grace/

Holding a Posture of Grace (Proper 25C)

What if the very thing that makes us human—our ability to speak—is also our greatest vulnerability? This week, the teacher in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 challenges us to reconsider the power and danger of our words. We discover that humans are essentially 'living language,' created in the image of a God who spoke the universe into existence. Yet this divine gift has become corrupted; our words can build up or tear down, heal or wound, unite or divide. The teacher in Ecclesiastes offers us a radical prescription: simplicity. Say less, listen more, and let God be God. We're confronted with the uncomfortable truth that much of our prayer life and religious speech is actually about us—our performance, our image, our control. The passage exposes how we heap up empty phrases, thinking God will be impressed by our verbal gymnastics, when in reality He longs for humble, honest, simple connection. Jesus himself modeled this perfectly, knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, entrusting everything to the Father. The most profound insight? Silence is God's first language. When we create space to listen rather than constantly filling the air with our anxious words, we encounter the gentle whisper of divine presence. This isn't about praying less overall—it's about praying with integrity, where our words align with our hearts and actions. The transformation begins when we stop trying to be our own god and instead rest in the identity Christ has secured for us.

Ecclesiastes | Say Less - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 - Clint Leavitt

A stark, bluesy folk ballad that tells a heavy story.

Inspired by the dramatic schism in Chapter Two of the Lotus Sūtra, "Twigs and Leaves" is a song about one of the most subtle dangers on the spiritual path: arrogance (māna). It recounts the moment when 5,000 practitioners, believing they had already achieved enlightenment, walked away from the Buddha's ultimate teaching. They mistook a milestone for the final destination.

This is a song about the Buddha's silent, powerful reaction—watching the "twigs and leaves" depart from the assembly, purifying it for the final truth. It's a mournful warning about the price of certainty and a call for the deep endurance (Kṣānti) required to stay the course.

Told with just a voice and an acoustic guitar, it's an intimate, raw, and hypnotic story for anyone who has ever wrestled with questions of faith, progress, and humility.


Lyrics: 
(Genre: Bluesy Folk Ballad)
(Intro) (Slow, mournful acoustic guitar...)
(Spoken, in rhythm):
Here's a song 'bout a crowd...
Who thought they were done,
'Fore the final truth had even come.

(Verse 1: The Revelation)
The Master rose up from his deep samādhi rest
Said, "My skillful means were just a temporary test."
"Those three small roads you traveled, the vehicles you knew,
"Were just a clever shelter, 'til I revealed the truth to you.
"There's only one Great Vehicle, one single road to ride,
"The journey is the goal now... there's no final place to hide."

(Verse 2: The Five Thousand Depart)
Five thousand souls stood up, and they started to go.
They bowed their heads politely, but their feet were movin' slow.
They had that sickness of the soul, that spiritual pride (māna),
Attached to what they'd reached, but with nothin' left inside.
Convinced they'd gained the final Law, while the job was incomplete,
They thought they'd attained... what they'd never reached... and stumbled on their own feet.

(Chorus: The Buddha’s Silence)
Oh, the Arrogance Trap, it's a lock on the deepest door,
It's thinkin' that you're done, when He's askin' you for more.
The Buddha watched them leave... He didn't argue or coerce.
He said, "The assembly's purified, it's free from somethin' worse."
He said the "twigs and leaves" are gone, just the truthful souls remain.
That self-imposed exile... the price of all their spiritual pain.

(Verse 3: The Price of Certainty)
They built a life on certainty that couldn't stand the shock,
Mistook a restin' milestone for the true top of the rock.
So tragically faithful to their own constricted view,
They judged the Master by the little road they knew.
Their pride was just a high, high wall, built from their own good works,
That old, deluded arrogance... where the deepest shadow lurks.

(Bridge: The New Armor)
To the faithful ones who stayed, the Master gave the key.
He told Maitreya, "Listen... here's what you're gonna see...
"You gotta wear the armor of Endurance, deep and true,
"You gotta practice patience when the insults come for you.
"From those same arrogant people... who think they've found the way...
"You must remain unswayed, don't you listen to what they say."

(Outro)
The slander that they throw... that's just fuel for wakin' up.
The aggressor is your teacher, fillin' up your merit cup.
The Buddha gave his final lesson in the silence of that room...
Just watchin' the twigs and leaves fall... and walkin' to their doom.

(Guitar fades out slow)

Twigs and Leaves

2025-10-12 Sermon for Trinity XVII
Grace Lutheran Church, Thompson, Ohio
Rev. S. Berndt
"The Place of Honor" Luke 14:1-11
Proverbs 25:6-14 Courage & the Sweetness of Wisdom
Ephesians 4:1-6 The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
Luke 14:1-11 The Parable of the Wedding Feast

The Place of Honor - Sermon for Trinity XVII 2025-10-12

October 26 - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2025)

10/26/25. One Holy, Christian, Apostolic Church -- One FOREVER Church (Pr. Harry)

The text consists of excerpts in Polish taken from a translation of chapter eight of the book Saga of Saints, written by Nobel Prize laureate Sigrid Undset and originally published in 1934. These excerpts serve as an introduction and biography of the Servant of God, Father Karl Schilling (Barnabite), a Norwegian painter who converted to Catholicism and later became a priest.

The essay retraces his conversion, his religious vocation within the Barnabite Order, and his ministry in various places, including his reputation for holiness among the people of Mouscron, Belgium. The final sections mention his lasting impact and the efforts toward his beatification, even including the approved prayer for his cause.

From Norwegian Painter to Barnabite Priest

For Everyone Who Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted - Fr. Mike Spalla 10.28.25

11/02/2025 - Chris Randall - The Height of Pride: Haman's Gallows (Esther 5:9-14)

The Barnabite Fathers

The Barnabite Fathers, officially known as the Clerics Regular of St. Paul (CRSP), are a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1530 in Milan by St. Anthony Maria Zaccaria, along with Bartolomeo Ferrari and Giacomo Morigia.

Their mission is the renewal of Christian life through preaching, education, and spiritual direction, with a special emphasis on personal holiness and reform of society. The name Barnabites comes from their first residence at the Church of St. Barnabas in Milan.

Guided by the spirit of St. Paul the Apostle, they promote zeal for souls, love for the Eucharist, devotion to the Crucified Christ, and deep interior life. Over the centuries, the Barnabites have founded schools, missions, and parishes across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Their motto, “Caritas Christi urget nos” (“The love of Christ impels us”), expresses their call to holiness and apostolic service.

Please like and share. 
Welcome to the musical world of The William Altig Choir, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sound.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and infused with deep spiritual themes, my music blends the rich traditions of blues and folk with modern elements, creating a unique fusion that resonates with both the heart and soul.

I've been captivated by the Lotus Sutra's messages of compassion, wisdom, and transformation since my youth. It's a journey of self-discovery that has found its voice in my music. Each song is a reflection of my own spiritual awakening and a celebration of universal truths.

My style is characterized by emotive storytelling, powerful lyrics, and a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience. Featuring contemplative blues, acoustic slide guitar, saxophone melodies, and the harmonies of a gospel choir, my music reflects a quest for enlightenment and a better understanding of the self.

Join me on this musical journey. Together, we can explore the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, finding solace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

#SpiritualMusic  #LotusSutraMusic  #ContemplativeBlues  #BuddhistGospel #AcousticSlideGuitar  #GospelChoir  #Self-Discovery  #SpiritualAwakening  #Hope  #The_William_Altig_Choir

Reflections and homilies rooted in the Gospel of John and the wisdom of the Church, helping you walk the journey of faith. Join Fr. Michael, a priest of the Community of St. John in New Zealand, as he unpacks the Word of God, explores the depths of grace, and leads you to encounter Christ, the Word made flesh.

At Midtown Presbyterian Church, we value honest questions and genuine community, working alongside one another as we discover more about what it means to follow Jesus in the modern world, and in Phoenix. You are welcome here.
Listen to our teachings in this podcast to follow us, and be sure to join us Sunday mornings; visit thespringmidtown.org to learn more.

Weekly Sermons from St. Aidan's Anglican Church. We are a member of the ACNA (Anglican Church of North America. We are in the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Visit us in person and check out our website at www.staidanskc.org.

Priest of the Diocese of Rochester (NY); Pastor of St. Peter's Parish (Clifton Springs, NY)

http://stpeterparish.us/index.html

I am a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pastor serving Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Madison, Ohio & Grace Lutheran Church in Thompson, Ohio.

Drew is an Episcopal priest and blogger living in Western Indiana who is obsessed with building up a vibrant and authentic church and 90’s era dreampop. He is the rector of St. Stephen's in Terre Haute, Indiana. While working on an MFA at Emerson College, Drew was called to a new ministry that transcends both decaying structures and 50’s era ugliness. His blog is about seeking an authentic faith that is expressive, worshipful, artistic, and transformative.

Faith Community Church is a non-denominational church in South Boston, VA under the leadership of Pastor Dane Skelton. Sermon podcasts are uploaded every Sunday.

New tracks tagged #Humility