Father Simon Says

1 Thes 4:13-18 Christians have hope in the face of death. We don’t believe in the rapture, we believe in the Parousia. Lk 4:16-30 Fr. Simon explains the familial dynamics between Jesus and his relatives in today’s Gospel Mass: Hysteria: Roman Chant Letters Where did the Latin language come from? Word of the Day: AIR Callers Our Lady of Garabandal and how Mary talks about the warning and great chastisement, and what are Fr. Simon’s comment about that. About John the Baptist, does he have a ballpark figure on how long John the Baptist was in incarcerated before he died? As long as we obey God’s commandments, is it a sin to disagree?

Wis 7:22b–8:1 What is real wisdom? Lk 17:20-25 Where will God’s royal nature appear? Is Jesus’ Kingdom political? Mass Hysteria: Father reads a letter about some of the church songs from the 70s Word of the day: Cross and Crucifix Letter: Do my prayers count? Question about the three days of darkness; what is it? Father talks about marriage in the ancient world Dad asks about his agnostic son who struggles with the Genesis story

Col 3:12-1 St. Paul writes with “guts of compassion” for the Colossians. What is real kindness Lk 6:27-38 Christ tells us to not be judgmental Mass Hysteria: The liturgy isn’t for entertainment Letters: Letter about the genealogy of the Tudors Father recommends this book: Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History: Stark, Rodney: 9781599474991: Amazon.com: Books Word of the Day: Spiritual Songs Callers: If we are called not to judge, shouldn’t the guy in Colorado just make the cake for the gay couple? Is it wrong for me to switch parishes because the music is unbearable at my current parish? A friend wants to be baptized but is not ready to be Catholic. Can I baptize him? What should I do?

1 Tm 3:14-16 Father explains what a Christian assembly is and what the secret of religion is! Jn 19:25-27 Was Jesus’ aunt at the foot of the cross? Mass Hysteria: Home Mass and Coffee Table Mass Letters: Father talks more about altar wine: do’s and don’ts Father reads a letter about Jesus and the Canaanite woman. Word of the day: Sword will pierce your heart Callers: Dustin: Which Bible should Catholics use? Question about today’s reading and would like to know why some translations say ‘which’ instead of ‘who’ as in ‘Our Father (who/which) art in heaven?’ A priest had the laity say the ‘Through Him, With Him and With Him.’ Is this a liturgical abuse? What are Father’s thoughts about the practice of intinction?

Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 Father talks about Malachi's idea of the messiah, and his experience with the goldsmith Mass Hysteria: Father talks about the importance of covenant and contracts Letters: Father answers a question about grace and works.  Can priests tell jokes in homilies?  Word of the Day: Terrible Callers:  If John the Baptist was the best Man and Jesus was the bridegroom, then who is the bride? Mary asks about the Fatima prayer David asks a question about the Novus Ordo mass  Father recommends his articles on the topic What doe the Catholic Church teach about ghosts?

1 Sm 1:24-28 Father explains  judges! (Not, Judy, though) and what the duties of parents are.  Lk 1:46-56 Father explains the difference between a spirit and souls  Mass Hysteria: Father talks about his first brush with show business  Letters:  Father talks about the perfect oneness between the Father and son Letter about a baby chewing rosaries  Word of the Day: Judge Callers In the first reading rea ding today What is an Ephah? Why wasn't the New Testament written in Aramaic or Hebrew? Question about reading from an Advent reading of Isaiah.

Sg 2:8-14 God isn't mentioned in this text, so why is this book inspired? Zep 3:14-18a Father talks about the sin of racism Mass Hysteria:  Father talks about participation at mass. Letters: Letter about the Church's treatment of indigenous Americans. Can the extraordinary ministers bring communion to everyone in the pews? Word of the Day: Exalt Callers:  My mother has been in a nursing home and she has dementia. She is on a feeding tube. Even though the USCCB says that food and water is ordinary means  Does she have to have a feeding tube since there is no hope of recovery? Do you think the push for more space travel is like the tower of babel? Isaiah 7 :10 from yesterday's reading Need a clarification.

Is 7:10-14 What does this prophecy in Isaiah actually mean?  Lk 1:26-38 Father connects this Gospel to Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass Hysteria: Father reads a letter from a mass cantor  Letters: Question about the fire of the Holy Spirit  Father talks about the homily of Bishop Don Hying Word of the day: Rema Callers:  Why do we say 'we dare to say' instead of 'We humbly dare to say' at the Our Father? Why did it take Christ so long to come into this world? Which tribes practiced human sacrifice?

Mt 1:1-17 Why are there different genealogies for Matthew and Luke? Father explains Mass Hysteria: Father talks about weddings! Letters: Father reads a letter about fruit in Genesis Father answers letter about liturgical abuse Father offers a book recommendation to a listener's nephew in prison.  Listener's daughter has been in therapy, and wonders where to find a psychologist   Question about time in purgatory  Can Catholics use aromatherapy?  Word of the day: O

Is 54:1-10 Father talks about various approaches to scripture and the book The Case for Christ Lk 7:24-30 Didn't John know that Jesus was the messiah?  Mass Hysteria: Father talks about singing all the verses at mass Letters:  Father talks about ecology and stewardship at green burials  Father reads a letter about images of aborted fetuses Why don't parish offer confessions between masses on Sunday? Word of the day: Hosts Callers: I'm a Christian, but not catholic, and I can't get over what appears to be deification of saints and Mary. Fr. Simon's take on Hebrews 5-10

Is 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25 Does God create darkness and evil? Lk 7:18b-23  Father talks about St. Augustine’s interpretation of today’s Gospel Mass Hysteria: Father talks about canonizing the deceased at funeral masses Letters Father reads a letter about many are called but few are chosen. Question of fulfilling the obligation of receiving communion Letter about a same-sex relationship and a holiday party Word of the Day: Shabbat Callers I wonder if some songs I want for my funeral are appropriate Fast for 12 hours before communion? When I arranged my dad’s funeral, I asked the priest to pray for souls in purgatory

Zep 3:1-2, 9-13 Who was the prophet Zephaniah? Fr. Simon explains. Mt 21:28-32 What’s so bad about tax collectors? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about the origins of the prayers of the faithful Letters: Father reads a letter from girls that were abused by their father, and talks about the freeing power of forgiveness Word of Day: Forceful Caller: Our parish is growing and we’re even breaking new ground for a new church! Can divorced Catholics living as brother and sister go to confession? Father has been in and out of ICU the last few months. He is having bad nightmares about his salvation. Is there anything that could help him forgive himself from past sins?

Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a Father talks about Bl. Solanas Casey, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and talking donkeys Mass Hysteria: Father talks about a music for Our Lady Letters: Letter clarifying blessing in the Orthodox church Father reads a letter from an evangelical listener who talks about issues in the pre-Reformation Church Question about Baptism and Judaism Do you think Mary was Baptized Word of the Day: Forceful Callers: I’m married, but someone I dated in the past, I’m always thinking about him and is this God’s way of punishing me? What does he think about mariachi music at the mass?

Is 48:17-19 Can laws be gifts? What does coveting actually mean? Father explains Mt 11:16-19 Our likes and dislikes have nothing to do with the truth of God. Mass Hysteria: Father talks about what’s wrong coffee table mass Letters Is there anything wrong with saying ‘spirit’ instead of Holy Spirit? Question about sins and red worms! Word of the Day: Vindicated Callers: We have a family member who is gay and she wanted to bring her partner for Christmas We have a ten year old son. What should I do? What is the meaning of the word beseech, like we ‘beseech’ you? In the parable of the vineyards, it says ‘few are chosen’  could you explain?

Is 41:13-20 What is the thrashing of grain? Mt 11:11-15 How can we be greater than John the Baptist? Mass Hysteria: Father talks more about Cardinal Francis George and the liturgy Letters: Question about religious art Why does the Eastern church make the sign of the cross differently Father reads a letter about the origins of liturgical abuse Father tells a story about a young boy who talks about the invisibility of God Word of the Day:  Myrtle tree Letters: What is  the Apostolic Pardon and does the priest always give it during the Last Rites? Does a solemnity last 7 days? If God made Jesus and Mary, who made God?

Gn 3:9-15, 20 Fr. Simon on the Fall from Grace w/Adam and Eve Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 Jesus invites us to allow him to transform us The Church has a bride Fr. Simon talks about the Immaculate Conception and it’s significance Fr. Simon talks about multi-heavens Mass Hysteria: The Mass is a Sacrifice and the purpose of life is sacrificial Letters: Question about missing mass on a Holy Day of Obligation and difference between countries Question about making jewelry using ashes Book recommendation on the Book of Relevation Word of the Day: Eve Callers: Should I attend a memorial where the ashes are being scattered What is the difference b/w forgiveness of sin and absolution Caller shared that her late husband was a fan of Fr. Simon

Is 40:1-11 Fr. Simon describes this reading as very beautiful Preparation for the coming of the Lord Mt 18:12-14 Father talks about why there’s rejoicing after finding that singular lost sheep You could always come back home to the Church Mass Hysteria: The reason our civilization is in chaos is because of liturgical abuse and abandoning the idea of sacrifice Letters: Father talks about a letter responding to a caller who’s husband had a porn addiction Question about the Shroud of Turin Question about Green Burials Word of the Day: Comfort Callers: Should I attend a wedding where someone is Jewish Question about doing English mass Ad Orientem Question about distributing communion during mass and disagreeing with my parish priest about this

Coal at 04:00 Lk 5:17-26 The Pharisees didn’t know what to make of Jesus, why? Father also talks about the significance of Jesus’ miracles Mass Hysteria: Father talks about an experience at a Byzantine Church and the significance of beauty Letters: Father suggests a website with a Catholic liturgical calendar What is an indulgence? Word of the Day: Papyrus Callers: How should I understand my spouse’s pornography’s addiction What if I don’t fulfill my penance from confession before I go back to mass on Wednesday Dec. 8th. Could I still receive communion? I was reading the Epic of Gilgamesh which mentioned the flood. Was the flood in Genesis written before Gilgamesh or after?    

Is 29:17-24 Father discusses Judaism and the Messiah Mass Hysteria: Father talks about mass tones Letters: Is there a liturgical calendar for android? How can you be persecuted without a hair of your head destroyed? Word of the day: Sternly Callers: Why is the Muslim God a God of Might? Question about the St. Andrew Novena and what happens if I forgot to say yesterday. In Acts 23:21, the Jews swore a vow that they’ll kill Paul.  What happened to that vow and to them? Good book or resource that explains the mass more and why no more communion rails? Is it permissible to ask the priest if the penance he gives is too hard and you want a different one?

Is 26:1-6 What is the righteousness of God? Mt 7:21, 24-27 Father talks about this passage in the context of Protestant and Catholic theology What happens if we have a religion of convenience? Mass Hysteria: Father continues the theme of choir lofts! Letters: Question about Catholic high school–we’ve lived in different cities, and all of them trained for college, not for vocational training. Why was Jesus buried in a cave and not in the ground? My Catholic nephew is marrying in the Ethiopian Church How can I dispose of broken rosaries? Word: Ptosis Callers: How do you know when you’ve done enough to be right with God? Why didn’t people listen to Simian if he knew who the savior was? Why does the priest bows low when he says the words of consecration?