What God is Not

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 show
Father Michael's vocation episode on Catholic Stuff

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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.

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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 Bible
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Episodes on the Mystery of Crowning with Fr. Joel Barstad

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

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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 ([email protected]) or message her on Facebook.

References:
Hosea 11:3
Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age by University of Mary Press
A Hidden Life (Trailer)

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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 Came
The Space Trilogy Series by C.S. Lewis

• Book 1: Out of the Silent Planet
• Book 2: Perelandra
• Book 3: That Hideous Strength

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Sobornost by Catherine Doherty
Urodivoi by Catherine Doherty
The Postal Service: Give Up

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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 Fradd

• Episode One: Why Sr. Natalia Become a Nun
• Episode Two: Eastern Catholicism w/ Mother Natalia

An Explanation by Luke Spehar

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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.


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This week Mother Natalia talks about judgement. She gives some practical examples of judgement and the way it causes a block or barrier between herself and the person as well as herself and God.

References:
Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrius

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Father Michael uses two Gospel passages along with some prayer requests in his life to talk about unanswered prayer and how our unanswered prayers unite us with our forefathers.
 
References:
Hidden Sins, Perceivable Virtue (The episode inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray)
The Year of Grace of the Lord
Luke 14: 16 - 24  - parable about the wedding banquet, read 2 Sundays before Christmas
Luke 15: 11 - 32 - the parable of the Prodigal (Reckless) Son

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This week Mother Natalia talks about how loving people shows us the love of God, and that in loving, both the the lover and the beloved receive fruit. The ability both to give love and receive love are because God gives us those abilities. In loving each other we love God, and that love can heal us. Growing in holiness helps us to grow in love.

References:
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St John Climacus
The Philokalia
Christ our Pascha

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