This week Fr. Michael talks about penthos, the deep sorrow for sin, and the tears that can be related to that, using the writings of St. John Climacus as a jumping off point. He talks about sorrow for sins of the world and the different types of tears we can experience.

References:

Thirty Steps to Heaven by Vassilios Papavassiliou

The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Quote from St. John Climacus

"In the domain of creation, as in that of compunction, there is that which moves itself and that which is moved by some other agent. When the soul grows tearful, weeps, and is filled with tenderness, and all this without having striven for it, let us run for the Lord has arrived uninvited and is holding out to us the sponge of loving sorrow, the cool waters of blessed sadness with which to wipe away the record of our sins. Guard these tears like the apple of your eye until they go away, for they have a power greater than anything that comes from our own efforts and our own meditation."

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This week Mother Natalia walks through some practical tips on going to confession. She gives examples of sins that could be confessed and talks about nuances that could help the penitent.

References:

Examinations of Conscience Suggestions from FOCUS

Thirty Steps to Heaven by Vassilios Papavassiliou

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This week Fr. Michael talks about the deception of Adam and Eve by the devil in Genesis 3. He talks about the ways we can be deceived and how sin blinds us to the deception happening.

References:

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Perelandra by C.S. Lewis

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This week Mother Natalia shares a recent prayer experience she had while using Parts Work. She talks about her surprise in encountering many parts that were impacted by something going on in her life. She shares her experience talking to them with Jesus, watching Jesus talk to them, and having Jesus watch her talk to them. She talks about the healing she received from this prayer experience.

References:

Litanies of the Heart by Dr. Gerry Crete

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This week Fr. Michael talks about learning to listen for God's voice. He talks about how we can start to encounter God in prayer and hearing Him in our daily life. He reflects on how we know what our our friends and those we love need, and how in a similar way, we can know the voice of God.

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This week we're joined by special guest, Maddie! Maddie is currently a dokimos at the monastery. Maddie talks about C.S. Lewis' book, Till We Have Faces, and how it was so impactful to her in the her time of discernment. She shares themes of the book and how we can see these in our day to day life.

References:

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

Dr. Peter Kreeft's Lecture on Till We Have Faces Part 1 and Part 2

Hundredfold by Sister Agnes

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This week Mother Natalia has a few short topics. First she talks about making her smart phone less smart to help her grow in virtue. Then she talks about spiritual motherhood in response to an email from a listener. Finally, she gives a quick overview of a talk she's giving.

References:

Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch

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This week Fr. Michael recounts his recent visit to Thailand. He talks about the people he encountered, especially Fr. Raymond. He shares how Fr. Raymond interacts with his parishioners who span a wide geography.

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