What God is Not
A Byzantine Catholic podcast exploring the mystery of God, hosted by Father Michael O'Loughlin and Mother Natalia. The show delves into theological concepts and spiritual insights from a Byzantine Catholic perspective. Each episode aims to deepen listeners' understanding of divine mystery and faith.
Episodes
Discerning Married Priesthood with Nick and Lorena Towle
This week we're joined by special guests Nick and Lorena Towle, parishioners at Fr. Michael's outreach. Nick recently discerned a call to priesthood and they talk about their vocation story leading up to marriage and to priesthood.References:Aim Higher!: Spiritual and Marian Reflections of Maximilian KolbeFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join
Growing in the Daily Grind
This week Mother Natalia shares a story of personal growth and also ways that she can improve. She connects that story to our daily need to persevere in holiness, recognizing that the times during the weeks after Pentecost are when the "real work" is done.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChris
Fire, Water, Work, and Community
This week Fr. Michael reflects on themes found in the scripture passages leading up to Pentecost. He talks about the meaning of fire and water, how they can both be destructive but cleansing. He talks about the need for community and diving in with reckless abandon.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChris
A Long-Expected Parts Episode with Dr. Gerry Crete
This week we're joined by special guest, Dr. Gerry Crete. Dr. Gerry talks about Parts Work and how we see it played out in Lord of the Rings. He talks about how we see the characters grow and change, and the different parts we see represented in the characters.References:Litanies of the Heart by Dr. Gerry CreteThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram
Convictions from St. James
This week Mother Natalia reflects on scripture readings from the book of James which recently convicted her. She talks about holding her tongue, being slow to anger, and quick to listen. She talks about the beauty of answering a question directly, as opposed to answering something which was not asked in order to make any excuse. She talks about silence and how silence can help us in our lives.Foll
Tabitha Arise!
This week Fr. Michael reflects on the scripture passage from Acts where Tabitha is raised from the dead. He contrasts that with the healing of Jairus' daughter in the synoptic Gospels. Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us Fan MailSupport th
The Greatest Intimacy
This week Fr. Michael reflect on St. Paul's conversion in Acts. He talks about the sacraments documented in this passage, and how the Eucharist leads to community and union.Register here for The Heart of the God-Bearer - Young Adult Catholic ConvocationFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Br
Arrow Prayers
This week Fr. Michael talks about Arrow Prayers, short prayers that can be employed throughout the day. He gives examples of ones that have been used by saints in the past and ones that we can employ in the future. He talks about using scripture to help us come up with arrow prayers we can use daily.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads G
Only the Lover Sings with Fr. Chris Seith
This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Chris Seith. Fr. Chris shares a quote from Josef Pieper's book, Only the Lover Sings. We talk about love and music, beauty that is discovered in the one we love and in those around us, and how singing points us to love.References:Only the Lover Sings: Art and Contemplation by Josef PieperFace to Face: Knowing God beyond Our Shame by Fr. Stephe
A Few Evangelization Stories
This week Fr. Michael shares a few evangelization stories, one that is ostensibly non-successful and one that is ostensibly successful. It's a beautiful witness for those of us who do not necessarily go out of our way to evangelize in this way.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom
Becoming Me
This week Mother Natalia talks about becoming the person God created her to be, using a quote from a book as a jumping off point. She differentiates between the single parts of us and the holy parts of us, recognizing that we are not our sin.References:Face to Face: Knowing God beyond Our Shame by Fr. Stephen FreemanLet Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker PalmerA Right t
A Few of My Favorite Things
This week Fr. Michael walks through a few of his favorite things about the Byzantine church.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us Fan MailSupport the show
Penthos and Tears
This week Fr. Michael talks about penthos, the deep sorrow for sin, and the tears that can be related to that, using the writings of St. John Climacus as a jumping off point. He talks about sorrow for sins of the world and the different types of tears we can experience.References:Thirty Steps to Heaven by Vassilios PapavassiliouThe Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John ClimacusThe Boy, the Mole, the
Life Hacks: Going to Confession
This week Mother Natalia walks through some practical tips on going to confession. She gives examples of sins that could be confessed and talks about nuances that could help the penitent. References:Examinations of Conscience Suggestions from FOCUSThirty Steps to Heaven by Vassilios PapavassiliouFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads Group
The Deceiver
This week Fr. Michael talks about the deception of Adam and Eve by the devil in Genesis 3. He talks about the ways we can be deceived and how sin blinds us to the deception happening.References:The Screwtape Letters by C.S. LewisPerelandra by C.S. LewisFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegr
Praying with Parts
This week Mother Natalia shares a recent prayer experience she had while using Parts Work. She talks about her surprise in encountering many parts that were impacted by something going on in her life. She shares her experience talking to them with Jesus, watching Jesus talk to them, and having Jesus watch her talk to them. She talks about the healing she received from this prayer experience.Refere
Learning to Listen
This week Fr. Michael talks about learning to listen for God's voice. He talks about how we can start to encounter God in prayer and hearing Him in our daily life. He reflects on how we know what our our friends and those we love need, and how in a similar way, we can know the voice of God. Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads Group
Meeting God Face to Face with Our Maddie
This week we're joined by special guest, Maddie! Maddie is currently a dokimos at the monastery. Maddie talks about C.S. Lewis' book, Till We Have Faces, and how it was so impactful to her in the her time of discernment. She shares themes of the book and how we can see these in our day to day life.References:Till We Have Faces by C.S. LewisDr. Peter Kreeft's Lecture on Till We Have
THIS IS SPARTA...no pun intended (or included)
This week Mother Natalia has a few short topics. First she talks about making her smart phone less smart to help her grow in virtue. Then she talks about spiritual motherhood in response to an email from a listener. Finally, she gives a quick overview of a talk she's giving.References:Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul HinnebuschFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe&apos
The Flesh and Bones of a Vocation
This week Fr. Michael recounts his recent visit to Thailand. He talks about the people he encountered, especially Fr. Raymond. He shares how Fr. Raymond interacts with his parishioners who span a wide geography.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend
Critical and Contagious
This week Mother Natalia shows us how criticism is contagious. She gives a few examples in her life and talks about how she's noticed this in herself and others. She talks about how our interactions with people give them a hint of who we are when we aren't with them, and the way we might build them up or tear them down to others.References:Setting the Table by Danny MeyerFollow and Conta
The Attack on Memory
This week Fr. Michael talks about ways the devil may have attacked Adam and Eve's memory, putting shame into memories where there was no shame before. He talks about ways that shame can prevent a full relationship with God.References:Descent into Light PodcastFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChris
Moderation Shmoderation
This week Mother Natalia shares a recent conviction she had about being silent during periods of silence. She uses that to give suggestions on what we can do for the Great Fast, moderate things instead of grand gestures.References:The Philokalia, Volume 2Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander SchmemannFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodr
Resting in Tradition
This week Fr. Michael reflects on tradition vs canon, inspired by his recent Christmas tree decorating. (Yes, this was recorded a few weeks back!) He talks about ways to identify tradition vs canon in our individual life, our family life, and our parish life. He talks about the importance of setting norms, even for adults, but also being able to identify when flexibility is needed. Fr. Michael als
Love, Father and Mother
This week Fr. Michael talks about prayer and being sincere in prayer, both directly with God and also when asking the saints for assistance. He also talks about spiritual fatherhood and some of the ways he's experienced some of the "normal" experiences that biological fathers experience.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads
"I know..."
This week Mother Natalia reflects on the Visitation, and how Mary may have felt seen by Elizabeth. She talks about the importance of being seen by others and the importance of us seeing each other. Mother Natalia also talks about the healing that comes from being seen by Christ in confession.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr.
Yearning Better
This week we have two mini-topics. First we talk about priestly celibacy and married priesthood, the spousal relationship with the church and the spousal relationship with Christ. Then we make a shift and talk about the cycles within the church, daily reception of the Eucharist, and how some of the norms around daily reception of the Eucharist came to be.References:Behold a Great Light: A Daily De
Mighty Man of God
This week Fr. Michael talks about the archangel Gabriel and the meaning of his name. He talks about the manly strength of God and how Gabriel shows us this strength in his actions. Fr. Michael talks about fear of the Lord and how that differs from our fear of people or things that could happen to us.References:Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word by Erasmus Leiva-MerikakisFollow and Contact Us!Follow
Nothing but Banter (Seriously...)
This week we've got a banter only episode. Enjoy!References:Finding God in the World: An Introduction to Josef Pieper's Sacramental WorldviewThe Good News About Being Human in the Age of AI by Hope SchneirFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitS
Be Attentive
This week Fr. Michael walks through the phrase "Let us be attentive. Peace be to all. Wisdom, be attentive!" that we hear during Divine Liturgy. He talks about the etymology of some of the words, the purpose of the sentences, and how we're called to be especially attentive after hearing those commands from the priest or deacon.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and Faceboo
Beautiful Suffering
This week Mother Natalia talks about finding beauty in the midst of suffering. She gives examples of saints lives who were able to find beauty despite their suffering. She also talks about how God draws good out of suffering, despite suffering being an evil.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Br
Lacuna Matata
This week Mother Natalia reflects on her recent retreat in Colorado. She talks about the rest she had during retreat and the moments of rest she has during her busy life. She talks about the importance of purposefully finding rest throughout our day, week, month, and year.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's Twitt
Tethered to our Altars
This week Fr. Michael takes inspiration from a prayer said by the Maronite priests at the end of Divine Liturgy. He talks about how important the altar is to a priest and how the priest is "tethered" to the altar. He then expounds further into sacred spaces that are important to the lay people and monastics, and how each person can be reminded of this before or after leaving that space.
Formation by Osmosis
This week Mother Natalia talks about how we are formed by the community around us. She gives examples of formation within a monastic community, family, and friends. She talks about how our formation can lead us down the wrong paths, but through God's grace how we can turn back to the truth.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupF
Is There a Place for a Celibate Byzantine Parish Priest?
This week Fr. Michael talks to Fr. Nathan Symeon and Fr. Joel Barstad about married priests and celibate priests in the Eastern Catholic Churches. They talk about considerations that need to be taken for each option.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur Nonprofit
Saved in (but not from) the Storm
This week Mother Natalia reflects on the Gospel passage where Peter walks on water and asks Jesus to save him. She talks about realizing that God works to save us in the midst of the storm, but doesn't necessarily have the storm cease. Fr. Michael prepares for the homily for the upcoming Sunday, reflecting on the Epistle and the Gospel as well.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and
Triple Testimony
This week Mother Natalia shares stories of three beautiful things that happened to her recently. She talks about relying on technology vs encountering people. She shares a story of being able to use Photina funds to give to someone in need. She also reminds us that God wants to work for good for us in everything that we're doing, even the super mundane things.References:Into Your Hands, Fathe
Choosing Shame or Exaltation
This week Fr. Michael reflects on the Gospel from the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. He discovered that the root word means both shame and exalt or lift up, and he compares those in relation to how we live out our lives. He talks about bringing shame to Christ by our actions and inactions, and what it means that Christ will be ashamed of us if we shame Him.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on
Identity Crises
This week Mother Natalia talks about our identity and understanding our identity as God sees us. She talks about recognizing our identity in God as opposed to the circumstances of our life like parenting, work, school status, etc. Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's Twit
Resting in Forgiveness
This week Fr. Michael reflects on the recent Gospel passage of the unforgiving servant. He talks about how our forgiveness flows from words, to our minds, to our heart and the differences between those areas. He talks about the need to pursue forgiveness and ask for the grace to forgive from the heart.References:Matt 18:23-35Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Contact Us!Follow u
A Nun is Convicted
This week Mother Natalia talks about a conviction she had while listening to a homily about having a softness of heart and how that helps us when we're encountering someone we don't like. She talks about realizing that she was being overly critical of someone and how that realization was a good wake-up call. She talks about discerning being critical of what someone is saying vs the perso
SECRETS Part II
This week Fr. Michael continues his topic on Secrets of the Liturgy Revealed, talking about the prayers that are prayed quietly by the priest during Divine Liturgy. He and Mother Natalia talk about some of their favorite prayers and reflect on the beauty of them.References:Secrets of the Liturgy Revealed!!!Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and
Triumph of the Heart w/ Anthony D'Ambrosio and Andrew Holzschuh
This week we’re delighted to welcome Anthony D'Ambrosio and Andrew Holzschuh who wrote, directed, and filmed the movie Triumph of the Heart about St. Maximilian Kolbe. We talk about some of the things that inspired Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia as they watched the film, the beauty found within the movie, and the message of Christian hope that we can take from the movie.References:Triumph of
SECRETS OF THE LITURGY REVEALED!!!
This week Fr. Michael walks through some of the prayers that the priest prays during Divine Liturgy that the congregation does not hear. He talks about some of the intention behind the prayers, including when the celebrant is asking his fellow priests to pray for him.Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our G
Melodramatic Sanctity
This week Mother Natalia reflects on some insights she had during a recent Theology of the Body retreat. She talks about the need to stay present in whatever you're doing, whether that's eating an orange, answering emails, texting a friend, etc. She talks about how to be a saint in our time, by exaggerating the things the world doesn't do well to inspire them to do those things well
The Beauty Beneath the Mask with Keith Nester
Mother Natalia was recently on Catholic Feedback with Keith Nester and we're dropping the episode in your feed today! Mother Natalia talks a bit about how she found the Byzantine Catholic church, hiding beneath masks, sin, beauty, and how she ended up at the monastery.Thanks to Keith and his team for recording our audio and video for this week!Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow
Shared Beauty is Real Beauty
This week's episode was recorded live at the Byzantine Assembly in Indiana! This week Mother Natalia reflects on a grace shared by a pilgrim about beauty. She talks about sharing beauty with people and with God. We also have some Q&A at the end of the session.Thanks to WJOB in Indiana for recording the audio and video for this episode.References:Into the Wild by Jon KrakauerLaurus by Euge
True Poverty and Contentment
This week Fr. Michael reflects on the reaction of the shepherds to the driving out of demons from the swine, and how that reaction differs from St. Photina's reaction to encountering Christ. He talks about how Jesus can look at our true poverty and provide true contentment.References:Matt 8:28 - 33John 4:1-30Save the Date for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on In
Spiritual Smorgasbord with Fr. Chris Seith
This week Mother Natalia is joined by Fr. Chris Seith. Mother Natalia uses John 9 and the prayers of the week for the man born blind as her inspiration for today's episode. She talks about our gifts and how they build up our community. She also talks about God's delight in us.References:John 9Faith, Hope, Love by Joseph PieperSave the Date for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Con
A Byzantine View of the Synod with Fr. Nathan Symeon
This week we're joined by special guest Fr. Nathan Symeon. Fr. Nathan and Fr. Michael talk about listening to the Holy Spirit and others. They also talk about their experience as participants in a review of the final document from the synod on synodality.References:Integrated Evangelization by Monsignor RichterSobornost by Catherine DohertySave the Date for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follo
A Young Priest Gets Old
This week Mother Natalia asks Fr. Michael to reflect on his twenty years of priesthood, one day after his anniversary. She asks him some questions from the podcast team as well as from her.Save the Date for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur
Stop the Clanging Cymbal
This week Mother Natalia talks about assumptions and how they can hurt others. She talks about sensitivity needed in difficult discussions and the need to listen to people instead of just blathering on to hear ourselves speak.Save the Date for the Bridegroom's Banquet!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's Twit
Vocation and Mission
This week Fr. Michael talks about the vocation of priesthood and ways that seminarians could be guided in their discernment towards married or celibate priesthood. He talks about some practicalities of support of priests and their families by the eparchy and the related challenges. He focuses on the mission of priests and how that could be different for married and celibate priests.Save the Date f
Our Hopeful Poverty
This week Fr. Michael talks about the poverty we find ourselves in and how it can be attractive to others. He uses the stories of Photina, St. Moses the Black, and Mary Magdalene to show how each of them embraced some level of poverty, ultimately bringing Jesus to others. References:John 4:1-42Luke 16:9The Reed of God by Caryll HouselanderFr. Michael's Guest Appearances:Connor Gallagher'
Clinging and Healing
This week Fr. Michael talks about the healing of the paralytic at the pool and how his years of longing for healing was fulfilled. He relates that to healing in our own lives and how we can sometimes cling to a solution we've identified instead of relying on the Lord to identify the way we will be healed.References:John 5:1-15Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're
Self Titled with Fr. Nathan Symeon
This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Nathan Symeon. Fr. Nathan Symeon talks about apophatic and cataphatic theology, but more specifically the differences between apophatic and cataphatic prayer. He talks about how we can experience apophatic prayer in our lives and the importance of paying attention to the Holy Spirit working in our prayer life.References:Searchers of the Lost - Fr.
Contemplation in the Active Life with Bishop Erik Varden
This week we're joined by Bishop Erik Varden. Bishop Varden, Mother Natalia, and Fr. Michael talk about recognizing Jesus in others, living a contemplative life, the Syriac fathers, and the beauty of chastity.Be sure to check out Bishop Varden's podcast, Desert Fathers in a Year, in partnership with Exodus 90.Bishop Varden also has a website he posts to regularly.References:Chastity: Rec
Monks in the World with Fr. Chris Seith
This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Chris Seith. Mother Natalia and Fr. Chris talk about the monastic life and how their constant life of prayer calls us to incorporate God into our lives. They talk about Orientale Lumen and the call to reinvigorate the monastic life around the world. Mother Natalia and Fr. Chris talk about some of the differences in liturgical practices in the Byzan
You Are What You Think
This week Mother Natalia talks about a revelation she had about sin and listening to God. She talks about how our thoughts impact the way we act. Mother Natalia talks about the way we need to practice listening to Our Lord so that we can be aware of how the devil is tempting us.References:Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives by Elder ThaddeusFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe&
Be Prepared
This week Fr. Michael talks about a recent discovery he made about rest and preparation. He talks about the importance of both and how they are linked together. Fr. Michael talks about how preparation makes many things go smoothly and give us time for rest.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bri
The Gift of Rules
This week Fr. Michael talks about rules and the gift they can be in our lives. He talks about the difference between checking boxes and fully embracing the Church's teaching. Fr. Michael talks about how structure and order can easily veer into just checking the box instead of seeing the deeper picture.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Good
Relationship > Efficiency...Or is it?
This week Mother Natalia repurposes a talk she gave recently about relationship and efficiency. She talks about her initial thought that relationship is greater than efficiency and how her thoughts on that changed. Mother Natalia gives some concrete examples of relationship and efficiency in action from her personal life.References:Rekindling Wonder by Fr. Chris SeithFollow and Contact Us!Follow u
Life After Death
This week Fr. Michael talks about life after death, specifically the teaching of the early church Fathers. He uses the book Life After Death as part of his main talking points. We hear a bit about how this teaching helped Mother Natalia realize that her heart was truly Eastern.References:Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the ChurchA Simple HouseLife After Death by Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Hier
Unintentional Intentionality
This week Mother Natalia talks about intentionally incorporating Jesus into our lives. She gives two examples of this in action in her own life, in embroidery and running, and how she was able to come to a prayerful understanding of that in her own life.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Brideg
Paradoxes Giving Humility
This week Fr. Michael talks about prayer, fasting, and alms-giving in relation to the Great Fast and the paradoxes that exist within each of those. He talks about humility and how we can find a paradox within our humility as well.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur Websi
Get Uncomfortable
This week Mother Natalia talks about some of the things she's excited to encounter while on the upcoming pilgrimage. She differentiates between pilgrimage and vacation, reminding us that we're supposed to be uncomfortable on pilgrimage. She connects pilgrimages to the Great Fast, and talks about how pilgrimages ultimately connect us to longing for heaven.References:The Shattering of Lone
Knowing and Praying With Jesus
This week Fr. Michael talks about the importance of knowing Jesus and encountering Him in prayer. He talks about the need to encounter Him in our regular devotions like Divine Liturgy, Mass, Rosary, etc., but how we must also seek Him out in one-on-one prayer. Fr. Michael talks about resting in Jesus and the importance of that as we continue our spiritual journey.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on
Coming Home
This week Fr. Michael reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. He talks about how each of us can reflect the thoughts and actions of the younger son, the older son, and the father. He talks about the significance of the younger son wanting his inheritance now instead of when his father dies as well as the significance of the younger son working with pigs.References:Luke 15:11 - 32Pi
Praying with Your Body with Joni Seith
This week we're joined by special guest Joni Seith. Joni share with us the many sufferings she's endured over 30+years, and how she has used that suffering as a form of prayer. She talks about how her family has helped her in this, and how she's learned to be grateful despite her suffering.References:Pain of Grace by Joni SeithEucharistic Prayer read by JoniJoni's blogCor ad Co
Vulnerability in Leadership: Live at SEEK25
This week's episode was recorded live at SEEK25. Fr. Michael talks about vulnerability in leadership. He references written and spoken vulnerability in leaders from group commitments, prayers said by the priest at baptism, and prayers said by the monastic or liturgical leader at night prayer. Thanks to the team at Max Studios for recording this episode!References:Brene Brown's TED Talk o
What Mistakes are Not with Mother Iliana
This week we're joined by special guest, Mother Iliana. Mother Natalia and Mother Iliana talk about a mistake that was made that impacted their relationship. They give background on all the other things going on in their individual lives before the mistake was made, and how those things made the mistake seem much bigger and smaller. They talk about the repair that was made in their relationsh
In the Greatness of Your Mercy
This week Fr. Michael reflects on a sentence in a prayer that the priest prays during Divine Liturgy, "...in the greatness of your mercy you have brought all things out of nonexistence into being..." Fr. Michael talks about what it means for God to be mercy, to give mercy, and why God brought us into being in the first place. He reads some reflections from Archbishop Raya in the Byzantin
Word from a Poustinik: Stillness
This week Mother Natalia reflects on her recent poustinia, where the Lord placed the idea of rest on her heart. She talks about the ways she can rest in her monastic life allowing God to take charge in her life. She talks about how we are all called to rest, despite labor also being important to the rest of our lives. Mother Natalia also talks about the importance of recognizing beauty in the worl
Surrender Like St. Stephen
This week Mother Natalia talks about ruptured relationships and the hurt that comes in that rupture. She talks about offering up relationships to the Lord, recognizing that healing in the relationship may not come in this life, and the desire to have union with everyone in heaven. She links this to Saints Stephen and Paul, who did not have a great relationship on this life, but now through union w
The Good and Evil of Remembering
This week Fr. Michael talks about anamnesis and relates it to our day-to-day life. He talks about the origins of anamnesis in Liturgy and how we can remember the good God has done in our individual prayers. He also talks about epiclesis and the interplay with anamnesis. Fr. Michael talks about how anamnesis can be twisted and used in an evil way, not just in the good way we encounter during Liturg
The Gift of Receiving
This week we start out with a mini-topic on the icon of the Trinity. Then for the main topic, Fr. Michael reflects on a prayer that is said during matins where we beg God to save us through the intercession of the holy martyrs. He relates the intercession of the martyrs to gift giving. Fr. Michael talks about everything surrounding gift giving, both the intention of the giver and the vulnerability
Tolkien-ology with Fr. Chris Seith Pt. 2
We're joined again this week by special guest, Fr. Chris. Fr. Chris is back with us to talk about Tolkien and Lord of the Rings. Fr. Chris talks about the difference between authority and power; mind and forming matter vs mind over matter; and the use of technology in our lives and how we can feel ourselves being controlled by it instead of us controlling technology.References:Tolkien-ology w
Tolkien-ology with Fr. Chris Seith Pt. 1
This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Chris Seith. Mother Natalia and Fr. Chris talk about Aragorn's Today is Not that Day speech and how it relates to the spiritual life. Fr. Chris talks about some of Tolkien's intentions in writing the book, how technology plays a role in the book, and how we can learn from that.References:Searchers of the Lost - Fr. Nathan's PodcastFo
The Future of Good Memories
This week Fr. Michael reflects on nostalgia, and the ways it can be manifest in both good and bad ways. He talks about how nostalgia is a way of thinking about the transcendent that we experienced in the past, which is ultimately our longing for heaven.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegr
A Zealous Penance
This week Fr. Michael reflects on Psalm 63, which he has felt the Lord calling him to give as a penance in confession. Fr. Michael walks through some of the verses in the Psalm and contemplates some ways we can link the passages to our daily life.References:Psalm 63 (or 62 if you're in the Septuagint)Unwisting LegionPilgrimage:We're going on pilgrimage! You can find all the details inclu
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