What God is Not

We're back with part two of our "meet the parents" series. This week Fr. Michael interviews Mother Natalia's parents, Barbara and Dave. They talk about how both of them have benefited from Mother Natalia's vocation, and how they've left something behind but have gained so much more.ReferencesFather-son MichaelThe Face of God by Archbishop Joseph M. Raya 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

This week Fr. Michael walks through three prayers said over adults who are entering the church who also are being baptized. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about the uniqueness of the prayers and how they call both the catechumen and the congregation to faithful living. We are reminded that Satan gets our sins! References:Catechumen CatherineByzantine BaptismFollow 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

This week we have special guests! Bob and Marie O'Loughlin join us for an interview from Mother Natalia. Bob and Marie first introduce each other and we hear a little about how they met. Bob and Marie talk about what it was like when they knew Fr. Michael wanted to be a priest, the blessings they've received through his priesthood, and some of their memories.  It's a touching interview with just a few tears!References:Hundredfold by Sr. Agnes Therese, T.O.R.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

We're doing back to back episodes where Mother Natalia reflects on words she received while she led a poustinia with Wyoming Catholic. On this episode she talks about having an awareness of self.  References:Word from a Poustinik: MotherhoodPoustinia by Catherine DohertyFollow 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

Mother Natalia reflects on the power of spiritual direction and the profound journey of motherhood. She shares insights from a desert retreat, emphasizing how silence can reveal deep temptations and personal struggles. The discussion touches on the unique gifts of spiritual motherhood and its influence on prayer and holiness. With guidance from St. Angela, they explore the importance of authenticity in nurturing spiritual children. Despite challenges during the retreat, a remarkable abundance of grace emerged, showcasing how God works through all circumstances.

We're so excited to celebrate episode 100. We had a live recording where were joined by some listeners for vespers, dinner, and the recording. In this episode you get a bit of a behind the scenes look at "how the sausage is made" and then we dive into listener questions. Thank you so much for your support. We really appreciate it!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

This week Fr. Michael uses the Letter to Diognetus (chapters 5 and 6) as a jumping off point for our episode this week, inspired by  Deacon Michael Hyatt's episode on this same topic. Fr. Michael talks about the paradox of being in the world but not of it.References:40 Days with the Church FathersChrist the Bridegroom Monastery's Typikon St Mary of Jesus Crucified - she was canonized a saint May 17, 2015Orthodoxy by G.K. ChestertonPoustinia by Catherine DohertyMother Natalia and Father Michael's presentation on God with Us OnlineFollow 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

This week we continue our "Meet the Nun" series with Mother Iliana! Mother Iliana talks about suffering and sickness, and how we encounter God in our suffering. She also talks about visiting the sick and how allowing others to visit you when you're sick helps them fulfill Jesus' command to visit the sick.Mother Iliana wrote a blog post about her reactions to the war in Ukraine and recognizing that Jesus is with her and the people in Ukraine. It's a worthwhile read and a good bookend to what you'll listen to in today's episode. References:Matt 25: 31-46Romans 8:28Mother Teresa - movie shot by Sir Richard Attenborough on Mother TeresaThe Hiding Place by Corri ten BoomAlways Good by Andrew PetersonFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us Fan MailSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael uses Isaiah 10:15 as a jumping off point to talk about recognizing God's hand at work in everything, even in the things that we're good at. Many times we're aware of the work God is doing in our life in relation to "bad things" or things we're working on, but we may not always be aware of the work God is doing in our life for things that come naturally to us.References:Isaiah 10:15For the Life of the World by Alexander SchmemannFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us Fan MailSupport the show

This week we're joined by Fr. Jeffrey Dufresne who gave a homily on sin that inspired Mother Natalia! Mother Natalia talks about sin as a sickness, how this sickness can spread to others, and how we can seek healing for our sin.References:The Calling of St. Matthew by CarravagioFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us Fan MailSupport the show