023 - Mother Natalia - to Bind up the Brokenhearted
***Trigger Warning: Mother Natalia comes from a military family and one of her brothers was wounded severely in combat. In this episode, she does describe the occasion and nature of his injuries in some detail. It is profoundly relevant, but some listeners, particularly those familiar with the devastation wrought by war, could encounter some difficulty with this portion of the episode.*** We are overjoyed to welcome Mother Natalia, Byzantine Catholic Nun of the Christ the Bridegroom Monastary, to the show. She shares the beginning of her story of becoming an icon of, and subsequent participant in, Isaiah 61:1-3: 61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Edited by: Josh Metzger and Benjamin Kroger Music Licensed by: Fesliyan Studios, Inc.