- 59 minutes 24 secondsBarrenness Fulfilled
This week Fr. Michael talks about examples of barrenness in scripture and how the Lord fulfilled people's requests. He talks about wanting to get to the cross without suffering, but how it is through the suffering that we grow with Christ.
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Our Nonprofit7 October 2026, 10:00 am - 53 minutes 32 secondsFriends under the Fig Tree with Fr. Nathanael, OSB
This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Nathanael. Fr. Nathanael and Mother Natalia share how they received their names, their love of scripture, and then talk briefly about the scripture passage in John where Jesus asks Peter "Do you love me?" Unfortunately Fr. Nathanael's audio and video cut out during this section, so we don't get to hear his thoughts on this passage. But, we've linked to his article in the show notes so you can learn more.
References:
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Our Nonprofit30 September 2026, 10:00 am - 42 minutes 16 secondsHold Fast
This week Fr. Michael talks about how he thinks about putting together a homily. He uses a recent Sunday Gospel and Epistle to show how he thinks about homilies and how we can link passages to our daily lives. Fr. Michael talks about the importance of reading the readings ahead of Divine Liturgy, especially if you are cantoring them.
References:
The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass: A Guide for Encountering Christ in the Liturgy
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Our Nonprofit23 September 2026, 10:00 am - 55 minutes 1 secondThanksgiving Prayers
This week Fr. Michael walks through the Thanksgiving Prayers the congregation is invited to pray after Divine Liturgy.
References:
The Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great - Responses and Hymns - the prayers start on Page 95
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Our Nonprofit16 September 2026, 10:00 am - 57 minutes 34 secondsPreparing for the Divine Liturgy Part II
This week Fr. Michael picks up where he left off on last week's episode and continues walking through some of the prayers that the congregation are invited to say before Divine Liturgy begins. This week we start on Prayer 3 which begins on Page 9 of the book.
References:
Preparing for the Diving Liturgy Part I
The Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great - Responses and Hymns - the prayers start on Page 4. This week we pick up on Page 9
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Our Nonprofit9 September 2026, 10:00 am - 58 minutes 19 secondsPreparing for the Divine Liturgy Part I
This week Fr. Michael walks through some of the prayers that the congregation are invited to say before Divine Liturgy begins.
References:
The Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great - Responses and Hymns - the prayers start on Page 4
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Our Nonprofit2 September 2026, 10:00 am - 50 minutes 4 secondsThe World's Refuse
This week Fr. Michael reflects on a passage from 1 Corinthians. He considers what it means to be scum of the earth, the world's refuse, and to be holy fools. He talks about what it means to be imitators of St. Paul, who in turn is aiming to be an imitator of Christ.
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Our Nonprofit26 August 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 2 minutesMonastic Heart of Mary
This week Mother Natalia reflects on a talk she recently gave at the Byzantine Young Adult convocation on the monastic heart of Mary. She specifically reflects on how Mary lived out the three evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She also gives examples of how these counsels can be lived out by priests, monastics, and lay people.
References:
Orientale Lumen by St. Pope John Paul II
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Our Nonprofit19 August 2026, 10:00 am - 40 minutes 6 secondsIgnore Evil
This week Mother Natalia uses a quote from Elder Porphyrios as a jumping off point to talk about relinquishing control that evil has over us and to allow God to work through us. She then talks about recognizing the truth and gently and compassionately proclaiming the truth to others.
References:
Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrios
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Our Nonprofit12 August 2026, 10:00 am - 50 minutes 29 secondsWe Have Seen the True Light
This week Fr. Michael talks about a conversation he had with a pilot about the beauty of nature that is seen as the pilot flies the plane. Fr. Michael then connects the beauty of nature with seeing the True Light that is God.
References:
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrios
Reflection on the We Have Seen the True Light prayer
A Simple Byzantine Breviary by Fr. Joel Barstad
Rejoice O Virgin Theotokos by Fr. Joel Barstad
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Our Nonprofit5 August 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 1 minuteA Monastic, A Theologian, and Jess with Fr. Chris and Jess
This week we're joined by special guests Jess Allen and Fr. Chris Seith. Jess talks about intentionally practicing liturgical living. She gives examples of what that looks like practically and how it could be different in your family life vs her family life.
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Our Nonprofit29 July 2026, 10:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App