What God is Not

This week's episode concludes our review of the monastic life profession series.

Previous Episodes:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three

If you missed Mother Natalia's Life Profession you can watch the recording up on the monastery's Facebook page.

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We're joined this week by special guest Father Deacon Jonathan Deane. He uses the Trisagion Prayer as a jumping off point in the discussion. We discuss sin, having the image of God but losing the likeness of God, and our ultimate destiny.

References:
Light for Life Series by God with Us Publications.

• Part One - The Mystery Believed
• Part Two - The Mystery Celebrated
• Part Three - The Mystery Lived

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Christ Our Pascha
Becoming Human: Meditations on Christian Anthropology in Word and Image by Fr. John Behr
The Therapy of Spiritual Illnesses: An Introduction to the Ascetic Tradition of the Orthodox Church

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The  life profession already happened but we're still walking through the life profession ceremony. If you missed the first two episodes you can find Parts One and Two here! And today we're joined by special guest, Fr. Steve Flynn.

If you missed Mother Natalia's Life Profession you can watch the recording up on the monastery's Facebook page.

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We're back with special guest, Fr. Joel Barstad, this time talking about the Mystery of Crowning. This is part one of at least two, as we barely got into the mystery of crowning in this episode! We reflect on marriage and some of the day to day interactions between a husband and wife.

References:
National Catholic Register article on the Rite of Betrothal in the Latin Rite
Episodes on Patris Corde: A Father's Heart Part One and Part Two

If you missed Mother Natalia's Life Profession you can watch the recording up on the monastery's Facebook page.

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This is part two of two! Sister Natalia walks through the prayers that are said in a monastic life profession liturgy. She reflected on the liturgy during her life profession retreat earlier, and gives us some insight into her journal entries from her retreat.

Part One can be found here.

Also, check out a written reflection from Sister Natalia on Life Profession.

Sister Natalia's Life Profession is September 26th! The Monastery will be livestreaming the event from their Facebook page.

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Father Michael and Sister Natalia Out and About
Sister Natalia was on Matt Fradd's podcast, Pints with Aquinas. Check it out!

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This is part one of two! Sister Natalia walks through the prayers that are said in a monastic life profession liturgy. She reflected on the liturgy during her life profession retreat earlier, and gives us some insight into her journal entries from her retreat.

Sister Natalia's Life Profession is September 26th! The Monastery will be livestreaming the event from their Facebook page.

References:
The Mountain of Silence by Kyriacos C. Markides

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Parental warning - adult content discussed. Trigger warning - sexual assault and rape discussed.

This week Fr. Michael reflects on the book The Picture of Dorian Gray and how it illustrates the impact that sin has in our lives.

References:
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Matt 5:27 - 28
The Porn Myth by Matt Fradd

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Sister Natalia and Father Michael recorded an in person episode on the feast of the Transfiguration! In this episode they focus on the Transfiguration account in Matthew and talk about the temptation for us to stay on Mount Tabor, some of the symbolism represented in Matthew's account, and the need for us to transform as a result of our encounters with Christ.

References:
We have a full IG TV recording up on our Instagram page that features some banter and Q/A before and after this episode. Check out our page if you want to watch the full recording.
Matt 17: 1 - 13

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Sister Natalia is fresh off poustinia and reflects on peace. "Nothing else matters except being with Jesus and trying to rest in that knowledge and trying not to be swayed by all the other thoughts coming to me."

References:
The Final Homily
Word from a Poustinik: Hope
John 16:33
Quotes from St Seraphim including this one: "Acquire a spirit of peace and thousands of souls around you will be saved."

Save the Date for the Bridegroom's Banquet, Nov 13!

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This week Fr. Michael talks about demons and their interactions in our everyday life. We hear about some of his experiences at Franciscan, and learn how we can be on the lookout to repel demons and evil thoughts.

References:
The Life of St. Anthony by Athanasius
The Philokalia - Volume 1

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