What God is Not

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 . Reference...

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 Registration for the Bridegroom's Banquet is open! Follow and Contact...

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...

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 yo...

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 Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr....

Sister Natalia walks through some of her favorite passages from the Philokalia, a collection of writings from some of the Church Fathers on how to live as a good monk or nun. "The view in the East is that everyone is called to live as a monk or nun, to the degree which they are able in their vocation," and Sister Natalia wanted to share her favorite passages with everyone! References: Th...

This week we're talking about Byzantine Baptism, everything leading up to the chrismation. Fr. Michael reads through some of the prayers said during the Holy Mystery. Father Michael and Sister Natalia Out and About Catholic Stuff You Should Know recently reposted an episode where Fr. Michael talks about Byzantine Marriage. Check it out ! Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Faceb...

This week Fr. Michael talks about Gregory the Theologian and how he came to know and understand his vocation. He and Sister Natalia talk about the call to holiness and how the people in the church can help encourage men and women to priesthood and religious life. References: Gregory the Theologian's Second Oration Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTub...

Sister Natalia and Father Michael continue their discussion from last week about fatherhood. Part One of this topic can be found here. In this episode, Sister Natalia walks through some of her favorite quotes from Pope Francis' apostolic letter, Patris Corde, and then relates them to her life experiences, especially her life experiences with Father Michael. References: Part One Patris Corde b...

This week Sister Natalia gives us insight into her reflection on fatherhood and tenderness. She and Father Michael provide examples of how they see fatherhood practically lived out in their day to day lives. References: Patris Corde by Pope Francis The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus My Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder Ephraim Wounded by Love by St Porphyrios That Man is You Follow...

This week we're joined by special guest Valeria Salgado. Valeria is a Latin revert who discovered Father Michael's parish and has been participating in Divine Liturgy there. This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia answer some questions on the rites of initiation and the differences between the East and the West. Additionally they talk about the process of changing rites. References:...

This week we're talking about the Saint of the Day (less three days), St. Nathaniel! St. Nathaniel is Sister Natalia's patronal saint. There's also a great discussion at the beginning of the podcast about spiritual direction. References: Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson Father Elijah by Michael O'Brien Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're...

This week Fr. Michael talks about some key takeaways he's learned after reading a book that reminds us of what we sing (or say) when we sing "Heavenly Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things. References: Everywhere Present:  Christianity in a One-Storey Universe by Fr. Stephen Freeman Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on Y...

We're joined at the very beginning by Father Nathan Symeon's daughter, Budsy. Such a fun conversation. Father Nathan is the parochial vicar at Father Michael's parish. Then we discuss seeing beauty in the people around us, despite their sins or despite our ability to see the beauty 'at a glance'. References: Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe Follow and Contact Us! F...

Part 2! The monastery has a new member of the community! Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about the service for the entrance of a dokimos, specifically Intern Olivia! We've broken this up into two episodes. References: Last week's episode Ladder of Divine Ascent by St John Climacus Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads...

The monastery has a new member of the community! Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about the service for the entrance of a dokimos, specifically Intern Olivia! We've broken this up into two episodes. Also, it's our one year anniversary! Thanks for being a listener! References: The Year of Grace of Our Lord by Lev Gillet An overview of the different steps in the vocation process at C...

A few weeks ago Father Michael and Sister Natalia were on Instagram Live. We recorded that session for our general podcast listeners. If you want to see this "in person", we've saved the video up on IGTV . References: Our episode on The Jesus Prayer Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter...

Who's keeping track of consecutive in-person recordings? We're at four now! This week Sister Natalia talks about lessons she's learned from her encounters with children and how those encounters lead her to reflect on her relationship with God. References: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodr...

Another in-person episode. This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia talk about putting forth effort to pray during Divine Liturgy. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Another week of in person recording! What a blessing. This week Sister Natalia reflects on some things she learned during her retreat, including how we can get in the way of the work God wants to do in our lives. References: How to Profit From Your Faults by Claude-Joseph Tissot Homily on the Healing of the Paralytic by Alexander Schmemann Litany of Trust Litany of Humility Lux Catholic - iPhone L...

Sister Natalia and Father Michael are in person this week! In this episode they talk about what it's like to be out and about as a nun and priest and the encounters they have which they only have because they're dressed as a nun or priest. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Brid...

This week we're joined by Fr. Joel Barstad who talks about his thoughts around the Cappadocian House Document. References: Cappadocian House Document - written by Fr. Joel Barstad Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com Send us...

Fr. Michael and Sister Natalia talk about the beauty and necessity of community. Fr. Michael has a realization on the differences in people with structured personalities vs people with unstructured personalities. References: Communion and Liberation - movement founded by Fr. Giussani and Fr. Carron in Milan, Italy Cappadocian House Document - written by Fr. Joel Barstad 20 Answers: Eastern Catholi...

Happy Bright Week! This week Sister Natalia walks through the Gospel for Thomas Sunday. We talk about Thomas' unbelief, our unbelief, and asking for grace and strength to believe. References: John 20:19 - 31 , Gospel for Thomas Sunday The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander Humane Vitae Ancient Christian Commentary - John 11 - 21 edited by Joel C. Elo...

This week Father Michael talks about a theme he's picked up in the Sunday Gospels of the Great Fast, and in this episode he walks through Mark 9:17 - 31. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show