What God is Not

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 a textSupport the show

Trigger warning - some discussion on the realities of the Holocaust.This week Fr. Michael talks about having a personal relationship with Jesus after hearing a talk from Monsignor Shea at SEEK2022. He talks about obedience, sin, and death, and how those all impact a personal relationship with God. We've also got a mini-topic this week suggested from a patron on our Patreon group. This week's topic is cultivating a spirit of gratitude.References:Night by Elie Wiesel [or Darkness or Dark as Fr. Michael called it. :-)]News:We'd love to have you join us for a live recording of the show, Tuesday, March 29th, at Holy Resurrection Parish in Euclid, Ohio. Vespers begin at 5:30, potluck vegan dinner at 6:15ish, and recording at 7ish. You're welcome to join us for part of all the event, no RSVP needed. Please bring a vegan dish to share.Follow 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 a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia walks through the differences between destitution and poverty following a homework assignment she gave one of her spiritual daughters. Mother talks about how poverty is the lack of any barriers between us and God, and how that should be our long-term goal. Mother Natalia talks about the poverty Adam and Eve had before the fall.Mother Natalia challenges us to approach the Lord with trepidation and ask Him to show us where we're living in a destitute manner.References:Christ the Bridegroom TypikonThe PhilokaliaThe Four Loves by C.S. LewisNews:We'd love to have you join us for a live recording of the show, Tuesday, March 29th, at Holy Resurrection Parish in Euclid, Ohio. Vespers begin at 5:30, potluck vegan dinner at 6:15ish, and recording at 7ish. You're welcome to join us for part of all the event, no RSVP needed. Please bring a vegan dish to share.Follow 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 a textSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael shares his vocation story. He starts early - with his grandparents - and then makes his way to childhood and college years. Fr. Michael shares how the Lord worked in his life to show him the peace and joy he'd receive as a priest.References:Father Michael on Chris Stefanick's showFather Michael's vocation episode on Catholic StuffFollow 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 a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about Zaccheus, the searching he did to find Jesus, and how that searching is in response to Jesus searching for him. This is the same in our lives. We are searching for Jesus as a response to Him searching for us. Mother Natalia talks about how Zaccheus was "all in" with Jesus and how that's a model for her life, including in her response to hospitality.Follow 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 a textSupport the show

We were featured on SEEK in December and we're dropping the episode here in case you missed us! Father Michael and Mother Natalia share stories of their friendship, how SEEK played a part of their lives, and then talk about Divine Liturgy.SEEK is an annual retreat put on by Focus the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. SEEK 22 is wrapped, but put this on your radar for SEEK 23.References:The Orthodox Study BibleMere Christianity by C.S. LewisEpisodes on the Mystery of Crowning with Fr. Joel BarstadPart 1Part 2Part 3Follow 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 a textSupport the show

This week we’re joined by special guest Casey Dail. Casey talks about her experience as a foster mom and the balance she has to practice of attachment and detachment. She links some of her experiences to the ecstasy experienced in the cross.Casey recently started a coaching practice. If you’re interested in working with her or would like to know more about her experience as a foster mom, you can email her (caseydail@hotmail.com) or message her on Facebook.References:Hosea 11:3Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de CaussadeFrom Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age by University of Mary PressA Hidden Life (Trailer)Follow 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 a textSupport the show

This week Father Michael talks about the reality of loneliness within our vocation. We talk about relying on God instead of others to satisfy loneliness.References:From Whence Mother Natalia CameThe Space Trilogy Series by C.S. LewisBook 1: Out of the Silent PlanetBook 2: PerelandraBook 3: That Hideous StrengthMere Christianity by C.S. LewisSobornost by Catherine DohertyUrodivoi by Catherine DohertyThe Postal Service: Give UpFollow 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 a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia shares her vocation story up to the decision to enter the monastery. References:Mother Natalia has been on two episodes with Matt FraddEpisode One: Why Sr. Natalia Become a NunEpisode Two: Eastern Catholicism w/ Mother NataliaAn Explanation by Luke Spehar Follow 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 a textSupport the show

This week's episode is long but so worth it! We're happy to welcome to the podcast special guest Melkite Joe. Melkite Joe shares a bit of his life story that led to his discernment to enter Holy Transfiguration Monastery in California. If you would like to donate to Melkite Joe's fundraiser, you can find all the details here.Follow 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 a textSupport the show