How the Fathers "Discerned"

This week we're kicking off a three part series where we walk through the liturgies for Holy Week. Today's episode covers Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

References:
The Year of Grace of the Lord by A Monk of the Eastern Church
Great Lent by Fr. Alexander Schmemann
Behold the Bridegroom
Useless but not Worthless

Monday Readings: Matt 21:18-43, Ezekiel 1:1-20, Exodus 1: 1-20, Job 1:1-12, Matt 24:3-35

Tuesday Readings: Matt 22:15-23:39, Ezekiel 1:21 - 28, Exodus 2:5-10, Job 1:13-22, Matt 24:36 - 26:2

Wednesday Readings: John 12:17 - 50, Ezekiel 2:3-3:3, Exodus 2:11-22, Job 2:1-10, Matt 26:6-16

Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.

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This week Fr. Michael reflects on the encounter of Simeon and Anna with the child Jesus when Jesus was presented in the Temple. Fr. Michael also shares some creative ideas for almsgiving that you can incorporate during the Great Fast and even throughout the year.

Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.

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This week Mother Natalia continues her discussion from a few episodes about the ache and longing we have in our hearts for eternity. She talks about the exodus and pilgrimage through this life, the goods that we can ache and long for, and how ultimately earth is not our home.

References:
Into Great Silence
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
The Ache Speaks with Mother Petra
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus
Psalm 137

Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.

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On this week's episode, Fr. Michael works through some ideas he has for a homily he's giving later that day. He talks about the need to be cognizant of the work God is doing in our lives, our heads, and our hearts.

References:
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus

Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.

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This week Mother Natalia takes a mini-topic request on recent Byzantine saints and also talks about fasting. Her discussion on fasting covers some of the reasons she likes fasting, the ways she can grow, and then some general practicalities on fasting.

References:
Father Vasyl Lonchyna
What Suffering is Not with Mother Iliana
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus

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This week Fr. Michael uses the story of Zacchaeus as inspiration for this week's episode. He talks about the childlikeness found in Zacchaeus as well as his curiosity. Fr. Michael talks about all the ways that Zacchaeus' sin is pointed out to us in the Gospel, yet we see his quick repentance and conversion.

References:
Luke 19: 1-10

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This week Mother Natalia shares about a recent experience rock climbing. She talks about healthy and unhealthy fear, recognizing the help that others around us provide, and ultimately how rock climbing relates to the spiritual life.

References:
Scruples and the Sacraments
The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis

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This week we're joined by Kristin Molitor from the Institute for Ministry Formation. Kristin talks about the fawn response to danger, perceived danger, and trauma. We talk about where the fawn response can show up in our relationships well after trauma or danger has passed. We talk about the concept of spiritual bypassing or spiritual platitudes and how those can be a way of us ignoring our deeper feelings and emotions.


References:
Institute for Ministry Formation
Theosis and Tribulations by Stewart J Dunn

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This week Mother Natalia uses a scripture passage from 2 Peter as inspiration for her episode. She talks about being patient while waiting but also hastening towards our call, or whatever we're waiting for. We give some practical advice on waiting while simultaneously hastening, and also give an example of not pursuing the next step that God is calling us to.

References:
2 Peter 3:11-12
Italy Tour with Chris Stefanik

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This week Fr. Michael talks about the ordinariness lived out in a mother's vocation and her hiddenness in that ordinariness. He talks about three women who have given reflections on specific Gospel passages, and how those passages have convicted the moms in their vocation. We also talk about sacrifices that parents make as they raise their children.

References:
Matthew 6:5-6
John 3:30
Matthew 8:16 - 20

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