Father Simon Says

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 This passage is Jesus’ favorite way to refer to himself. 2 Pt 1:16-19 Are Christian stories myths? Mk 9:2-10 There is a close association between today’s story and the Jewish feast of Booths. Letters Letter about the song “Jesus is just alright with me” Letter about the liturgy Comments about teaching a child Biblical Greek Word of the Day: Fulfill the exodus Callers Caller who is ill would like to become Catholic Why does Fr. Simon thinks Jesus chose Peter James and John for special events like today? How did John and Peter know it was Elijah and Moses?

Nm 20:1-13 Why didn’t Moses enter the promised land? What’s the significance of the number 40? Mt 16:13-23 Father explains the significance of the setting of today’s Gospel Letters Is it appropriate to spank children? Question from an Eastern Catholic–her pastor said her black dress was inappropriate for Church. What are the origins of the indulgences? Word of the day: Confession Callers Is Christianity an offshoot of Zoroaster?  What’s your response? How do I respond to my non-Catholic friends?

Nm 13:1-2, 25–14:1, 26a-29a, 34-35 Why the story of Moses and the Israelites teach us to not take God for granted! Mt 15: 21-28 Actually, Jesus never uses the word dog in the passage. The crux of the story is about trust! Letters Why didn’t Moses enter the promised land? Question about divorce, marital validity and the Matthean exception. Word of the day: Knife Callers Do I need an annulment? If God regret his creation, why would he create us? Why can’t Catholics have pre-nuptial agreements?

Nm 12:1-13 Was Moses really the meekest man on earth? Mt 14:22-36 Why did Jesus make his disciples get into the boat? Letters Question about liturgy and charity Word of the Day: Hem Callers My 8 year old wants to learn biblical Greek, where should I find books for him? When the Israelites left Egypt, they brought animals, but why didn’t they just eat those? When we offer our masses and our communions up, do we lose that grace or are we compounding it?

Nm 11:4b-15 What does a Christian live for? Mt 14:13-21 Was the story of the loaves really miraculous? Letters Question about re-baptism Why are there 10 commandments? Word of the Day Compadre Callers Do the East and the West have compatible Trinitarian theologies? Where did St. Paul learn about Jesus?

Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37 What do the feasts in today’s reading mean? Mt 13:54-58 Mary was a very common name in the time of Jesus–what does this have to do with today’s Gospel? Letters: Can Catholics donate their body to science? Where’s the location of Heaven and Hell? Is the Mass Passover? Do the Orthodox believe in hell? Word of the Day: wave offering Callers A Coptic priest calls in to talk about an apparition A grandmother asks about Baptism

Ex 40:16-21, 34-38 What’s the cloud of glory? Letters Does God give us what we ask for? What are we going to be judged on? What’s the difference between the Pauline Privilege and the Petrine Privilege? Word of the day:  Propitiatory (mercy seat) Callers:  Question about Eve and Divorce Why did Jesus have to sacrifice himself and die for us? Did Jesus know he was going to die?

Ex 34:29-35 Did Moses’ face have horns on it? The encounter with the Lord gives radiance Mt 13:44-46 Today’s passage is really about God’s royal nature Letters Father tells a touching story about Angels Question about having another child Word of the Day: Many Callers Question about the Eucharist and the Old Testament A caller asks about angels and death A question about Eve

Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28 What is the wandering in Israel actually about? Mt 13:36-43 What was the good that God wants to give? Letters: What does Holy Ghost mean? Question about poverty and someone in need Can we receive communion in the Polish national Church? Is Passover vengeance? Question about veils in Church? Father Simon clarifies a question about slavery Sometimes you have to say no to your children Word of the day: Glory Cloud

Ex 32:15-24, 30-34 Was the Golden Calf a God-platform? Also, what’s a God-platform? Mt 13:31-35 What’s the Kingdom of God? Letters: Questions about apostolic succession, Passover, Eucharistic bread, and biblical views of the family structure  

Ex 20:1-17 Father breaks down the 10 Commandments Letters How do I deal with disappointments in the Church? Question about angels Word of the day: Idol Callers Question about David and Solomon and The Sabbath

2 Cor 5:14-17 Is Paul a real apostle? What are your expectations about Jesus? Jn 20:1-2, 11-18 What’s the significance of the way the burial clothes are laid? Letters Does Our Lady have the imprint of the sacraments? Testimony about Lourdes Word of the Day: Shroud Callers Baby names: Can we name our baby Caeli Why did Jesus tell Mary M. not to cling to him? Can old people have relations if they never married by love each other? Taking a Ti-Chi class. Is that okay?

Ex 16:1-5, 9-15 God is a jealous God? Why are the Israelites being tested? Letters Can I attend this wedding? Question about praying for sinners? Comments about The Veil Removed Could a Catholic baptize in the river? Word of the Day: Manna Callers Why do Catholics baptize infants? Question about Catholic and Protestant Baptism Is Jesus body and soul in heaven?

Ex 14:21—15:1 God really intervened in history. Mt 12:46-50 What’s Jesus trying to say in today’s Gospel? Letters Did God know that Lucifer become the Devil? Question about the Eastern and Western Churches Word of the Day: Glance Callers What do Christians believe about evolution? Where can I find a list of infallible doctrines?

Ex 14:5-18 Can we bargain with God and what happens after Pharaoh has a hardened heart? Mt 12:38-42 What are the purposes of signs? Letters Comment about perfume in Church Father goes into detail about a Eucharistic procession with several ethnic groups Word of the Day: Dewfall Callers Should I stay in my marriage? What does it mean for us to judge angels?

Ex 11:10—12:14 Did God make Pharoah’s heart hardened? Mt 12:1-8 Why does Jesus quote the book of Hosea? Letters Where does the phrase, “Son of Man” come from? Why did the Father give his youngest son the inheritance? Word of the day: Grace Callers: I’m going to Ephsesus in Turkey and a question about Mary’s House.  Is it legitimate to go visit?  And out tour is offering an ecumenical mass; can I go? Can my dad have buddha at his desk?

Ex 3:13-20 God reveals his name to Moses–everything exists because God speaks its name. Mt 11:28-30 Father talks about humor in The Bible, and about Tapeinos (humble of heart). Letters Question about Sirach and God’s methods Word Worship Callers Mass fashion Why did Peter want to build a tent after the Transfiguration?

Ex 3:1-6, 9-12 Moses encounters God in the burning bush Mt 11:25-27 What’s the real meaning of the word mystery? Letters Commentary about Mike Aquilina (Scholar) Can I drink ZEN green tea? Word of the Day—Epiginosko (to recognize) Callers Can I go to a Greek Orthodox Church? Should I incorporate Jewish law into my life?

Ex 2:1-15a Father gives some background and context to the story of Moses Mt 11:20-24 What’s the Gospel triangle? Father Simon explains Letters: Are we going to change the text of the Lord’s prayer? A Christian attorney writes to Fr. Simon about the seal of confession Should we ask for mercy and not God’s judgment? Word of the Day: Papyrus Callers: Why did God create things that are bad? Help with the St. Michael Prayer

Ex 1:8-14, 22–Father dives into the story of a new Egyptian King Mt 10:34—11:1–What is the peace that Jesus gives? Letters: Does God lead us into temptation? Question about bishops and the papacy Callers: Question about excommunication and the Eucharist