What God is Not

This week Fr. Michael recaps his recent time in the Holy Land where he was the chaplain for a 10 day pilgrimage. He talks about the areas they traveled, where the Lord spoke to him in prayer, and being inspired by the people he encountered on the trip. Bridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!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 Father Michael talks about the difference between men and women, the wholistic beauty of the human person, and how Mary epitomizes everything which is good and beautiful about women. It's an interesting one!ReferencesThe Final HomilyGates of Fire by Steven PressfieldThe Face of God by Archbishop Joseph RayaThe Reed of God by Caryll HouselanderBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!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 uses a reflection from Bishop John Michael Botean about work as her inspiration for today's episode. Mother Natalia reflects on work, both what it is and what it is not. She uses quotes from the Church Fathers to help our understanding, and gives practical examples of how to live a life more focused on God and less focused on work.References:The Endow PodcastEpisode with Father Deacon Jonathan - Ontology and Image, Likeness and DestinyWhat Leisure is Not with Mother GabriellaBabette's Feast (Trailer)Bridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!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 we're joined by Fr. Maximos of Holy Resurrection Monastery. Fr. Maximos talks about how "the East" defines involuntary sin, and what that can look like practically in the confessional. There's a great discussion about healing and presenting yourself to the divine healer in confession.References:Fr. Maximos' thesisBrief video, Fr. Maximos on Orientale Lumen TelevisionBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!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 uses a homily given by Bishop Malesic of the Diocese of Cleveland as her inspiration for a topic. She talks about living in a society where there is always an opportunity to be photographed or videoed, and how that can remind us that all our actions are known by The One and will eventually come to light for all of us.  References:Video of ordination - homily starts around 26 minute markExamination of Conscience for FOCUS MissionariesLuke 12: 1-3Letter to DiognetusDiary of a Russian PriestBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thanks for your generosity!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 we're joined by special guests Libby and Sandy! They're both Roman Catholics who talk about embracing the Byzantine fast for the first time. We hear about their joys, struggles, and how they learned to integrate the fast with prayer. It's a worthwhile listen, especially while we're still in the Apostles' Fast. References:The Angelic Tradition by Father EphraimThe Lenten Triodion by Archimandrite Kallistos WareFor the Life of the World by Fr. Alexander SchmemannWhat Leisure is Not with Mother GabriellaPerelandra by C.S. LewisBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!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 Gabriella joins us to talk to us about leisure. She uses the book Leisure by Josef Pieper as her jumping off point, and talks about what leisure is and what it is not. We learn how to rest and how that's different than vegging out. It's a thoughtful conversation that will stick with you!References:Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef PieperInto Great SilenceBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thank you for your generosity!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 a book she's reading, The Diary of a Russian Priest, and inspiration she's received from it.  The discussion covers a variety of topics including wearing masks to hide our true selves, finding inner peace, vocations, and our conscience.References:The Diary of a Russian Priest by Fr. Alexander ElchaninovPoverty vs DestitutionEyes to SeePrevious videos from the Bridegroom's BanquetBridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is Saturday, September 10th. All details can be found here, including a link to register to attend in-person, and a link for donations if you can't attend in-person. Thanks for your generosity! 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

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 a textSupport 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 a textSupport the show