What God is Not

This week we're joined by Alex from Voice of Reason! We recorded this episode live at the Metropolitan Assembly in New Jersey. Fr. Michael and Alex talk about living a life of service and holiness, imitating the holy people around us, and bringing others to the faith.References:God With UsVoice of Reason (YouTube)The Forgotten: Catholics of the Soviet Empire from Lenin through StalinFinding a Hidden ChurchFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia and Fr. Michael talk about places in scripture where we see the theme of light as they reflect on SEEK24’s theme of Be the Light. References:Romans 13:121 John 1:5-7John 4:7-42Hymns for the feast of the Theophany of the LordSEEK24Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week we're joined by special guest, Mother Petra! Mother Petra and Mother Natalia talk about experiencing an ache for beauty and how that ache can be given to us by God. We talk a lot about C.S. Lewis, a favorite of both Mother Petra and Mother Natalia.Plus we've got a mini-topic on praying with religious art.References:Mother Petra on The Journey HomeThe Weight of Glory by C.S. LewisThe Four Loves by C.S. LewisMere Christianity by C.S. LewisTill We Have Faces by C.S. LewisReflections on the Psalms by C.S. LewisLetting Gifts be Gifts Beginning to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony BloomCaringBridge Site for BrianFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week we're joined by special guest Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College. We talk about how our relationships across all areas of life impact each other, the founding of Wyoming Catholic College, and what it's like to intentionally create a college that "breathes with both lungs."References:Poustinia by Catherine DohertyErin PlannedFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

We've got a crossover episode! Fr. Michael records this week with Fr. Mike Rapp from Catholic Stuff You Should Know. Fr. Mike asks Fr. Michael all the questions about Byzantine tradition and practices.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael reflects on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In this feast, we shower the cross in the church with flowers to show the significance and importance of the feast. Fr. Michael talks about the need for us to look at our personal crosses with this same sort of significance and reverence.Plus we've got a mini-topic this week on dating.References:Ministering to MonstersMother Iliana on Pints with AquinasFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about usefulness vs worthlessness. Our worth is not found in what we do but who we are. This is certainly a hard topic for us to process and we need reminded of this regularly.We also have a mini-topic on holiness.References:A Sign of UselessnessDeath in the Shadows by Paul McCuskerFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael talks about the parable of the wedding banquet found in Matthew, another scripture passage that has confused both him and Mother Natalia. We talk about inspiration we've had from the passage, linking it back to the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve's nakedness. We talk about our need to give up our attachments in order to accept the glorious garment given to us at the resurrection.Plus we've got a mini-topic from a Patron. Thanks to everyone who supports us on Patreon! References:Matt 22:1-14The Great Divorce by C.S. LewisBe Not Afraid EpisodeFear of the Lord EpisodeThe Symbolic World PodcastFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about the Protoevangelion of James and walks through some of the tradition found within it. We talk about traditions jointly shared between the Eastern and Western churches, and some of the traditions that are believed in the East.References:Protoevangelion of JamesFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

Today's episode is inspired by an episode from The Symbolic World. Fr. Michael uses the Pentecost for the Zombie Apocalypse episode to talk about ministering to those in the world and meeting people where they're at in their lives.References:Pentecost for the Zombie ApocalypseFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week we're joined by special guest  Rachel Schmitt who is our Operations Manager. Rachel and Mother Natalia talk about saying yes in generosity and no in prudence when we're asked to do something. They talk about aligning your will with the Father's so you can know if your yes or no is the right decision, and they give some practical examples of this in action.Bonus, Rachel's infant daughter joins us on this episode too!References:PDF Link - How to Discern the Elements of Your Vocation by Fr. Peter F. Ryan, S.J.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael talks about St. Ephrem, or St. Ephraim depending on your spelling preference. He highlights some key facts that we should all know about this great saint.References:Cereal and the Prayer of St. EphraimSerial (2 of 2) and the Prayer of St. EphraimFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about tenderness and ways we experience the tender heart of the Father and Our Lady.  She talks about the ways she's experienced tenderness from Fr. Michael and Fr. Boniface, tenderness in spiritual direction, and tenderness in interactions with others.References:Our Lady of TendernessFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael continues his topic from last week on fear of the Lord. We talk about what the fear of the Lord is, what it is not, and how it's misunderstood.References:Episode 1 - Be Not AfraidFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week's episode is part one of two on Fear of the Lord. Fr. Michael talks about self-reliance, relying on God, and not being afraid to ask for help. Tune in next week for part two!References:Lord of the Spirits PodcastBridegroom's BanquetOur Lady of Perpetual Help PilgrimageFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week we're joined by Mother Iliana who has released a new book, The Light of His Eyes. We talk about how the book came to be, some concepts from the book, and ways Mother Iliana  has seen the Lord working in her life.References:The Light of His Eyes by Mother IlianaTaare Zameen Par (Every Child is Special movie)The Soul of Shame by Dr. Curt ThompsonFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael talks about Alive in Christ, an aesthetical boot camp for Byzantine Catholic young men. He talks about the idea for the camp, the structure, and the ways that he sees the boys grow as leaders. Fr. Michael also gives an overview of the chastity talk he gave to the dads, and Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about invitations to chastity and unchastity.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia reflects on God's extravagance with us, our extravagance with Him, and our extravagance with each other. She gives examples of extravagance from Scripture and we have a mini-topic at the end of the episode.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about Marian apparitions, the Catholic belief surrounding Mary, and their interactions and experiences with the Mother of God. Thank you to our patrons on Patreon for suggesting the topic!References:PrelestFor Little Eyes by Rebecca O'LoughlinFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about her recent poustinia camping experience with Sister Onuphria. We hear about the general humanness of the experience, but then Mother Natalia is able to relate it to the spiritual life and scrupulosity.References:The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to it by St. Theophan the RecluseBeyond Checking BoxesThe Reed of God by Caryll HouselanderFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSupport the show