Father Simon Says

Wis 3:1-9 Father tells a story of a goldsmith Rom 6:3-9 What does it mean when we give our lives to Christ? PS 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Father talks about a controversial section of the passage Mass Hysteria: Letter about the physical structure of Churches Letters: Did Jesus reject the teachings of his fellow Jews about heaven and hell? Do Jews believe in reincarnation? Word of the day: Visitation Callers: Can catechumens receive plenary indulgences could receive them? Is it an article of faith that God has a specific plan for your life?

Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 Father explains the mystery of the book of Revelation 1 Jn 3:1-3 What does it mean to be pure of heart? Mt 5:1-12a Father explains what it means to bless God Mass Hysteria: Why do we have the bells at mass? Letters: Father talks about looking up at the people during mass Letter about the orans position at mass Word of the day: Halo Callers: Question about John 19:14 and about Jesus and the Passover Father explains the various calendars present during Jesus’ time Protestant belief in Faith Alone and the word Alone? Was the word ‘alone’ in the original transcript?

Rom 9:1-5 Why are there are rules changed in the Church? What does Isaac represent for Christians? Lk 14:1-6 What is dropsy and Pharisee-ism? Father explains Mass Hysteria: Father goes through the lyrics of the song The Anthem Letters: Question about the sons of Zebedee in the throne of glory Word of the day: Misse Callers Caller asks Father about the nature of papal infallibility Question about the roots of the word prayer Question on origin of the liturgical calendar, and liturgy of the word and who developed it?

Eph 2:19-22 Father talks about inclusive meaning of the term family in the ancient world Lk 6:12-16 What’s the greatest reality in the life of the Father? Where there 3 James’ or 2 in the New Testament? Mass Hysteria: Father listens to a selection from a polka Mass and talks about true worship Letters: Father reads a letter asking about the laws of Moses Word of the day: Kill Callers: Caller had a question about the demon Belial (what does the name mean?) In Hebrews, Jesus is referred to as the image of the invisible God–what does that mean? When was the first Mass celebrated using the basic format we have today?

Rom 8:26-30: Father talks about God’s purpose for us What is the biblical sense of glory? What does the redemption of our bodies mean? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about liturgical practices other than mass Letters: Caller’s brother assists at Byzantine Divine Liturgy and asks if singing was thrust on Roman Liturgy Listener who is converting to Catholicism asks for help defending the Catholic Church Question about Pharisees and Catholic law Word of the Day: I recline Callers: Friend fell away from the faith and he’s convinced he’s going to purgatory. can a non practicing Catholic go to purgatory?

Rom 8:18-25 What does St. Paul and entropy have to do with each other? What is our eternal destiny? Mass Hysteria:  Father talks about the true nature of funerals Letters: Father talks about getting to know one’s pastor at a parish Caller writes about the Filioque clause–did the Church add it to the creed? Word of the Day: Futility Callers: Why do we call him St. Michael the archangel? All saints day is a holy day of obligation, is it one this year? What does it mean to be spiritual but not religious? Why did some some of the words at mass change in 2011? Caller wants to thank father for suggesting she take some RCIA classes; she’s becoming Catholic

Rom 8:12-17 What is natural law? Lk 13:10-17 Who does Luke blame for the woman’s infirmity? Mass Hysteria:  Will the song I’m listening to stand the test of time? Letters Letter about the offertory prayers; Father talks about addressing God at mass Listener disagrees with Father about the cantor volume at mass Word of the day: Flesh Callers: Caller asks about St. Paul’s comments on the flesh If one were to touch the risen Jesus–would he have felt warm? Caller calls in about Chesterton’s Orthodoxy When did the Mass come to be known as the Mass? James son of Zebedee and James the brother of Christ, is there a difference? Question about mathematician Wolfgang Smith I have non-Catholic friends and my friends ask why Jesus is on the cross when you buy a crucifix

Rom 7:18-25a Why did Paul go West? Father explains What’s so fascinating about Paul’s cultural life? Lk 12:54-59 What is human idolatry? Mass Hysteria: Father reads a letter about languages at mass Letters Letter about Della Reese and Mahlia Jackson My daughter did Yoga at gym class–is that OK? Word on Fire: Orthodoxy Callers: Could you recommend a good book about Mary?  I’m a Protestant and want to know more. What is the Church’s position about the Jews & salvation? If I hang the rosary from my mirror in my car and pray the rosary, is that okay? I recommend Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary by Brant Pitre, for the caller who asked about Mary Am I okay going to my sister’s house, even if she practices Buddhism?    

Rom 6:19-23 What does it mean that Romans went from lawlessness to lawlessness? Lk 12:49-53 What does the word baptism actually mean? Mass Hysteria: Father explains why his approach to mass isn’t grim Letters: Letter about the 9th commandment; Father relates the question to St. Irenaeus Listener asks a question about being open to life after infertility Letter disagrees with Father about cantors using microphones Word of the Day: Sin Callers : How would father advise an orthodox catholic to maintain their tranquility in todays church? and when they encounter heresy, how do we speak up for the truth?  Regarding the holy spirit when he was baptized, did he receive the holy spirit at birth or was it later? The finding of the child Jesus in the temple is a joyful mystery but also one of the seven sorrows of Mary. How can this be? Who are the three Mary’s in the Bible?

Rom 6:12-18 Father goes into detail about the Talmud because he thinks the letter to the Romans is Talmudic Lk 12:39-48 Who is the wise servant, how are we saved, and who is the thief? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about masses that are more about the priest than the Father Letters: Question about handholding at mass Letter about those who badmouth the Blessed Mother–is it sinful? Word of the day: Obedient from the heart Callers: If Angels are inside or outside of time? Question about the consecration timeline at the last supper Muslims view Jesus as a prophet, not as savior. Can Catholics think of Jesus as prophet AND Savior?  

Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 Father thinks this first reading is really complicated; he explains why that is, and what’s really going on in The Letter to the Romans Mass Hysteria Father talks about the nature of the devil, evil, and the liturgical calendar Letters Father follows up with a caller who talked about Catholics advising Kennedy to legalize abortion Father talks about the divine and human natures of scripture Father answers a question about hymns at mass Word of the Day Vigilante Callers Is there a difference between soul and spirit? Does Father know the history of the opening antiphon and communion antiphon If there’s a patron saint or patron saint couple for those who are separated? Could Father explain the doctrinal basis of Natural Family Planning?

2 Tm 4:10-17b Father describes why this text from Paul is so poignant as well as why Paul might ask for papyrus rolls. Lk 10:1-9 What does Jesus mean by “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” Mass Hysteria Father plays a clip from Screwtape Letter’s about the danger of ‘the same old thing’ Letters: Listener writes in about Church music Question about Jesus naming re-naming Peter Where did Communion on the tongue originate? What’s the difference between the Bethlehem of Galilee and Bethlehem of Judea Does baptism during mass distract from Mass? Word of the Day: Apostle Callers: What does Fr. Simon know about Synod on Synodality? Question about Brown Scapular and the blessings Difficulties with my three sons getting them to mass–how do I proceed?  

Lk 11:47-54 Father talks about fatal accommodation, and the problems with modern biblical scholarship Mass Hysteria: will Moon River bring young people to Mass? Why isn’t Mass an expression of who I am? Letters What the difference between apostle and prophets Father talks about sacrifice, ecumenism, and mass Father responds to a letter about Jonah Word of the Day: Apostle Callers: When we read the Bible, it’s what God says to us, not what we say it means. Prophets see things clearly from God’s point of view. Question about Mary going into the temple and if women were allowed, and why didn’t Joseph speak? What’s Father’s opinion on a specific song, ‘Shelter Me’?

Rom 2:1-11 Why does Paul write, “the Jew first, and then the Greek?” Lk 11:42-46 Father explains what rue is from today’s Gospel, describes what the Pharisees were up to, and explains proper piety Mass Hysteria: Jesus always goes for quality over quantity Letters: Are all bugs forbidden to eat under kosher law? why do we only emphasize St. Francis’ love of creation? Are the Knights of Columbus like the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher Word of the day: Partiality Callers: A kid in faith formation class asked a tough question– how would you respond? I understand that some priests consulted with the Kennedy’s and said that pro-choice was the way to go. Is this true? If so what are the implications? What is meant by ‘the word of God is living’ in Hebrews 4:12    

Rom 2:1-11 Why does Paul write, “the Jew first, and then the Greek?” Lk 11:42-46 Father explains what rue is from today’s Gospel, describes what the Pharisees were up to, and explains proper piety Mass Hysteria: Jesus always goes for quality over quantity Letters: Are all bugs forbidden to eat under kosher law? Why do we only emphasize St. Francis’ love of creation? Are the Knights of Columbus like the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher Word of the day: Partiality Callers: A kid in faith formation class asked a tough question– how would you respond? I understand that some priests consulted with the Kennedy’s and said that pro-choice was the way to go. Is this true? If so what are the implications? What is meant by ‘the word of God is living’ in Hebrews 4:12    

Rom 1:16-25 What’s so wrong with health kicks? Lk 11:37-41 Jesus reclined at table–what did that mean? Father talks about putting a hedge around the law; what’s a hedge? Mass Hysteria: Father reads a couple of letters regarding bad church music Letters: Father talks about deliverance Why is the real presence of Jesus not part of the Creed The listen’s parish changed the word Wife to Spouse in Psalm 128 Word of the day: Faith and righteousness Callers: Are venial sins forgiven in the penitential rite of the mass? Do you still need to confess these venial sins at your next confession? Why is the song “City of God” heretical? I just saw a bumper sticker that says ‘I love Jesus because I am Muslim.’  What does this mean? What happens to our guardian angel when we die?

Rom 1:1-7 Father believes Paul helped found the Church of Rome Lk 11:29-32 Father talks about the devotion and faith of Ninevites Mass Hysteria Father addresses some of his thoughts about priests singing at mass and incense Letters When are you supposed to sing the communion antiphon? Question about the Creed–visible and invisible Letter about liturgical songs sounding like soft rock Word of the day: Apostleship Callers I have been away from the Church for 50 years and I want to come back but am having trouble believing that Jesus is the Son of God. What advice can you give to help me believe better?

Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2 Who was the prophet Joel? Father dives into some Lk 11:15-26 What is the finger of God that Jesus mentions? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about valid matter for mass Letters: Letter asking about the finding of Jesus in the temple? Letter about someone who is waiting to Question about circumcision Word of the Day: Unclean spirit Callers: Can Satan influence or control your dreams Question about scripture and exorcisms How do I balance my work life with my spiritual life? I feel like I am neglecting my prayer life to get ahead at work. Is the quote ‘take and eat’ a good argument for communion in the hand?

Mal 3:13-20b Did Malachi actually live? Father explains Our Lady of the Rosary Lk 11:5-13 Jesus explains how God answers our prayers Mass Hysteria: Father talks about some of the food rules at mass Letters: What’s a penitential liturgy? Why are angels depicted with wings? Question about Nathaniel’s confession of faith It is a sin to do other things during prayer? Word of the day: Encyclical Callers How do you know when a child with special needs like Down syndrome reaches the age of reason? When we moved an altar at Church, we saw an insert with a relic inside. Why is there a relic in the altar? What is this for? Is it proper to raise our hands or hold hands at the Our Father? I don’t think it’s right.

Jon 4:1-11 Father says what the hardest part of Christianity is Lk 11:1-4 Father teaches the term ipsissima verba Chrisiti, and how it applies to today’s Gospel Mass Hysteria: Spontaneous masses and structured prayer meetings Letters: Letter about a progressive parish Is it permissible to get married in the Church sacramentally, but not legally? Word of the day: Hallowed Callers: On giving communion to someone w/dementia? Pope’s authority when he speaks ex cathedra.  Could you explain?