This week Mother Natalia and Fr. Michael reflect on the entrance of their friend and spiritual daughter, Maddie, into Christ the Bridegroom Monastery. Mother Natalia then reflects on one of her favorite stichera that we sing during the Nativity, and encourages us to reflect on it in this week leading up to the celebration of Nativity.

References:
Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales


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This week Fr. Michael reflects on a passage in Luke where Jesus encounters the man living with the legion of demons, which he then casts out. He talks about how the devil twists the truth and beauty and the world, perverting it which leads to sin. He sees this both in the man inhabited by the demons but also in the townspeople. Fr. Michael talks about ways we can also have this same distortion in our lives, even if we're not possessed by demons.

References:
Luke 8: 26-39
The Real Meaning of Lucifer
Tender Life Maternity

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This Mother Natalia talks about her recent experience on a long run and how that compares to the spiritual life. She breaks down her run into three parts, each of them equating to us persevering in holiness.

References:
Rekindling Wonder by Fr. Chris Seith
Akathist of Thanksgiving

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This week Fr. Michael takes inspiration from Matthew's gospel to talk about Jesus not being accepted as a prophet in his own home. Fr. Michael takes this further to talk about the ways we can be jealous of others, even of the good that they're doing. He talks about living with hardship and trying to not be jealous of others who are having different experiences than us.

References:
Protoevangelium of James
Hot Mess Hot Takes
Matt 13: 53-58

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This week Mother Natalia shares something that she asked for in prayer. She shares how that impacted her as she tried to remember that as she went about her day. Mother Natalia makes a suggestion to us on how to incorporate this into our lives as well.

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This week Fr. Michael unpacks two scripture passages that many find hard to receive, especially with our knowledge that God is good and loving.

References:
Episode with Abigail
Mark 11: 12-25, the passage about the fig tree
Exodus 7:13-14, the passage on the hardening of Pharaoh's heart

Episodes on fear of God:

• Be Not Afraid
• Fear of the Lord

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This week we're joined by special guest, Bree Solstad. Bree is a new member of the podcast team and works as our video editor.

In today's episode, Bree surprises Mother Natalia by telling her why she loves her. This conversation expands more into how we see Christ in one another, how we grow in His image and likeness, and how Bree and her husband work together to create each video.

References:
What Tragedy is Not with Bree Solstad

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This week we're joined by special guest, Bree Solstad. Bree recently joined the podcast team as our video editor. Thanks Bree!

Mother Natalia, Bree, and Fr. Michael talk about responding to loss. This can be as the person who experiences the loss or as someone empathizing with the person who experienced the loss. They talk about childlikeness in our relationship with God, and the beauty of the Sacrament of Confession.

References:
Bree's Interview on Edify Podcast
Bree's Interview with Keith Nester
Reflection on the Widow of Nain

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This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about SEEK and their theme "Follow Me." They reflect on their experience at SEEK last year as well as the patron saint for SEEK25, St. Joan of Arc.

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This week we're joined by special guests Sandy and Therese. Sandy and Fr. Michael talk a little about Humanality, a group that Sandy helps run. Then Fr. Michael, Sandy, and Therese share about the forming of the outreach from the Proto-Cathedral, what brought them there, and what has kept them there. There's good discussion on community and family.

References:
Leaning In (the episode on fasting)
Humanality

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This week Mother Natalia uses this episode to prepare for a talk she's giving. She talks about accepting the state in which you find yourself. She uses some quotes from St. Faustina to help illustrate the point of keeping close to God in the midst of your struggles. Mother Natalia talks about accepting the will of God in the present moment, even when you don’t like the situation you find yourself in.

We're joined this week by audience of one, Abigail!

References:
He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek

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