What God is Not

This week Mother Natalia continues with her topic of goodness from her last episode, and uses a homily as a jumping off point to talk about gifts. The homily followed the reading about Noah and the flood, and talked about how Noah and the people in the Ark were waiting for the gift of land to be able to live. Mother Natalia also talks about the difference between gifts and the giver, and how we can have attachments to the gifts instead of the giver. We also have a listener suggested mini topic and talk about Mark 3:28-30.References:Word from a Poustinik: GoodnessThe Four Loves by C.S. LewisThe Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to It by St. Theophan the RecluseFollow 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 a textSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael is joined by special guest, Fr. Nathan Symeon. Fr. Nathan and Fr. Michael walk through the readings for that Sunday and talk about the themes they're hearing in the readings which they use for a homily. References:Married PriesthoodLeaning In (episode on fasting)Hebrews 11: 24-26, 32-40, 12:1-2John 1: 43-51Follow 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 a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia reflects on goodness and our inherit goodness given to us from God. She talks about the ways in which we are less than human when we do not choose the good and the ways that our free will is supposed to help us choose the good.References:Therapy of Spiritual Illnesses by Dr. Jean-Claude LarchetEyes to SeeThe Four Loves by C.S. LewisChristy by Catherine MarshallLive Recording Details:When: March 26th, 4 PM PSTWhere: Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Sherman Oaks, CaliforniaPlease email us to RSVP: whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com 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 a textSupport the show

Today we're joined by special guest  Pauline Meert. Pauline is the co-founder of Sophia Montessori Academy in Denver, Colorado. Pauline gives some practical suggestions of engaging kids in church, how our expectations should change for the children based on their age, and why we should bring our kids to church. References:Mass Chaos - previous episode on Catholic Stuff You Should KnowThe Giver by Lois LowryContact Pauline:  info@sophiamontessori.com 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 a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about ways she's encountered God and His joy, despite going through a very hard time in her life. She talks about her grandmother's funeral and how that impacted her and her family, and she vulnerably talks about her prayer life and her candid prayers.References:SoCal Byzantine Catholic Day RetreatNatalia - Movie about Mother Natalia's Life ProfessionFollow 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 a textSupport the show

In today's episode Father Michael reflects on homilies for our pre-Lenten gospels, Zacchaeus Sunday and the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. The homilies are ones he's given as well as homilies given by other priests.References:Byzantine Gospel ReflectionsSearching for the Searcher - previous episode on ZacchaeusFr. John Kachuba's Last Homily for Meatfare SundayFollow 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 a textSupport the show

Today we're joined by special guest, Hannah Crane. Hannah is one of Mother Natalia's spiritual daughters. Hannah talks with honesty about the reality of living a holy marriage and what it's like to raise children.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 a textSupport the show

Today's episode was recorded at SEEK23. This week we're joined by special guest, Cameron Fradd, from the Among the Lilies podcast. Fr. Michael and Cameron discuss how Cameron continues to learn what it means to be “child-like” through the raising of her children, as well as sharing some heart-wrenchingly beautiful stories of God’s goodness in the midst of fear and suffering.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 a textSupport the show

On today's episode Mother Natalia takes a listener question on Ecumenism. We talk about some practicalities around ecumenism and the good desire for unity with others outside the Catholic faith. Mother Natalia also talks about the need for compassion as we interact with others, not just with those who are visibly suffering, but also with those whose pain and struggle are hidden.References:Christ the Eternal Tao by Hieromonk DamasceneMother Natalia and Father Michael Out and About:Part two of Mother Natalia's episode with Dr. Greg dropped yesterday: 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 a textSupport the show

In today's episode Mother Natalia walks through two questions she's been reflecting on and challenges us to think about these same questions. At the very end she gives us homework - a third question to consider!References:John 1:34John 4:1-42 (the woman at the well)John 4: 39-42Matt 3:17John 5:6Mother Natalia and Father Michael Out and AboutMother Natalia was recently on the Being Human podcast. She recorded two episodes with Dr. Greg, and the first episode dropped yesterday. Be sure to check back next week for part two!Father Michael was recently on the Barbatus Catholic Podcast. Check it out!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 a textSupport the show