Father Simon Says

Check out this awesome encore show from August 23, 2024 (2:05) Bible Study:  Ez 37:1-14 Father talks about dry bones Mt 22:34-40 Who is my neighbor (20:47) Break 1 (21:37) Letters: Father answers if Aromatheopy is in line with the Catholic Church. Talks about who is like the son of Man and who is the son of Man and answers what the will of God is. (34:17) Break 2 (35:07) Word of the Day: Unapipito (38:49) Phones: Erica - What does he know about Catholic Charities of America, I haven't seen any presence, almost a nonexistent thing. Dan - I play piano at Church, I always heard communion song is supposed to start when Fr. receives communion himself.  B/c I'm playing throughout the whole time, I can't get communion.  But I get communion on the weekdays, is that fine? Nathaniel - What is the job and role in the parish of a married deacon, and how do you know if you're being called? John - Shama, the first instance I found of Shama was in Genesis.   What do you think?

Check out this Encore show from August 30, 2024 (2:30) Bible Study:  1 Cor 1:17-25 Father sheds some light on Paul.  Mt 25:1-13 Father goes through this passage step by step. (20:21) Break 1 (21:27) Letters: Father answers what the best text for the bible is and other word plays from words from Chick-fil-A to Adultery. Strange conversation, but fun! Break 2 (39:05) Word of the Day: Foolishness (40:26) Phones: Joseph - how can we love our priests better and not just see them as sacrament dispensers? Therese - Is it true that divine mercy is the sacrament of Confession? Young Thomas shares an email asking about the psalms and Vatican 2

Check out this Encore from December 19, 2024! (3:26) Bible Study:  Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a Father talks about the epic story of Samson in this reading relating his origin story. Lk 1:5-25 Father explains the origin story of John the Baptist. (17:33) Break 1 (19:19) Letters: Can you be forgiven if you are not repentant for your sin? How does God look from different perspectives? Father answers these and many other questions. Send Father a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (32:08) Break 2 (33:33) Word of the Day: X (34:52) Phones: Vince - When I was an altar boy, our church at noon had a high mass; And the rest was regular mass. Am I remembering this correctly Mary - My daughter was in confession and she noticed the priest was on an iPad and she said to the priest, 'you were on the iPad' the whole time, he denied it and she could hear him shut the iPad.  Did she do the right thing by calling him out. Jeff - What Emmanuel and Jesus, why two different instructions for the naming? Lisa - I have a son who is non-practicing Catholic and daughter in law whose non-practicing Jew; they’re hosting Christmas Day at their house.  And their children not raised. What is my role as a grandma and what if grandson asks me questions about Christmas and Easter?

(3:03) Bible Study: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Be Faithful to the Lord and hand on what was passed down Luke 1:57-66 Father talks about the name “John” (18:31) Break 1 Father talks about the Reverence theory of Saint Joseph (28:36) Letters: Father talks about the meaning of the Lamb of God. Father helps a listener who returned to the Church and had some questions about the Church. Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (38:06) Break 2 (39:07) Word of the Day IHS (40:34) Phones: Katie - If Mary was born without original sin, why couldn't she have been our savior? James – Are black Rosary beads bad? Anthony - When were girls allowed to be altar servers? Why can't nuns do math?

(3:24) Bible Study: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 What does it mean to be dedicated to God? (24:18) Break 1 (25:07) Letters: How do you explain the Trinity without committing heresy? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:47) Break 2 (37:17) Word of the Day Kai (47:10) Phones: Deacon Ray - Have you ever heard of Joseph and the reverence theory?

(10:54) Bible Study: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a Father shares the story of Sampson’s birth Luke 1:5-25 Angry religion is a curse. Father explains (22:46) Break 1 (24:02) Letters: Why has doing the minimum become the norm? What is cannibalism and are Catholic cannibals? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (32:51) Break 2 (34:15) Word of the Day Sanctuary (37:59) Phones: Sally - I want to be cremated but what should I do? Maria - When we say 'poor banished children of eve' in a prayer is that a reference to Mary as the new Eve or to Eve the wife of Adam? Chris - In Luke 7:18-20 it seems like John the Baptist doesn’t know Jesus even though they are related Charlie - Why in Isaiah does it say he should be called Emmanuel, but we named him Jesus?

(6:41) Bible Study: Matthew 1:1-17 Father explains this list of names from yesterday’s readings. Matthew 1:18-25 Today’s readings talk about Joseph but miss something really important. (18:45) Break 1 (21:20) Letters: How do you tell you parents that you converted of the Faith? Can you get married if you aren’t confirmed in the Faith? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:04) Break 2 (36:12) Word of the Day Jesus (40:57) Phones: Tom - Can you reconcile the need to be buried but then also taking pieces off of saints. (not a catholic) Franchesca - A heard about a priests who gave confession to a POW German who said he wasn’t sorry for begin a Nazi but did say he was sorry for not being sorry. Could you clarify this? Jay - what is 'catholic Faith' does it mean a lineage from Peter?

Check out this Encore from December 17, 2024 (3:11) Bible Study:  Mt 1:1-17 Father proves that sola scriptura is false with this reading. (18:54) Break 1 (20:21) Letters: Father Answers questions about the Christmas season, when it starts and when it finishes. Why are some mortal sins worse seemingly than others? Father Simon answers these and other questions. Send him an email at simon@relevantradio.com (34:42) Break 2 (35:37) Word of the Day: Worship (38:03) Phones: Mary Alice - I agree 100% with the length of Christmas. I keep my decorations up until Feb 2. I put up the 3 Kings and move them closer as Jan 6 comes in. Marie - Does anyone else ever sing Happy Birthday to Jesus? We made Christmas Tree out of cupcakes and sing Happy birthday. Sharon - Exodus 24:10. Says they saw God. What did they see and how come we have not seen God since? Joe - St. Hildegarde and saints saw hell. I don’t get how hell corresponds to the mercy of God.

(3:05) Bible Study: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 Father talks about the resurgence of Faith in our world today among young people Matthew 21:28-32 Does this say that works matter in the Faith? (19:22) Break 1 (20:59) Letters: Father talks about non-Catholics coming to Catholic worship. How do you report a miracle in the Church? Father talks about yokes and how they relate with Jesus. Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (31:22) Break 2 (33:36) Word of the Day Tax Collector (36:05) Phones: Cathy - My stepson and his girlfriend are living together and I am having reservations about Christmas eve at their house. Patrick – What are sins are covered by 'love covers a multitude of sins' Chris - Why are Catholics forbidden to be Mason? Alex - When Jesus said for give 'them' who is them?

(2:38) Bible Study from Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a and the Gospel of Matthew. In addition, Fr. Simon gives some context behind Balaam of Beor who is in the first reading from Numbers.   (22:52) Break 1 (23:23) Letters (23:34) Donna - A question about Sabellianism and analogies that don’t work for the Trinity. It is important to understand the differences and distinctions. (30:02) Laura – My mother has become angry and disagreeable after getting Alzheimer’s. How do I handle this?   (34:48) Break 2 (35:40) Word of the Day: “tapeinos” (42:43) Phones: (42:54) Nicole - What is the best chapter of scripture in the New Testament that mentions free will? (45:38) Andrew - Could you clarify your view on how the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son?

Check out this Encore from December 12, 2022 Bible Study: (1:58) ZEC 2:14-17 How did this prophecy come to be?  Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab Father explains who the woman clothed with the Son is  LK 1:26-38 Father explains a little-known tradition about Mary (24:43) Father gives a history of Our Lady of Guadalupe   Word of the Day: To 'over-do-it' with joy (35:33) Caller: (37:48) -  Question about Mary as the New Covenant (41:16) - Is the only reason Jesus went to the Holy Land was because he needed to clean house? (43:31) - How can I manage frequenting businesses that support things that are not Catholic? (45:30) - I get emotional when I'm filled with Grace. How can I get religious without getting emotional about it? (47:57) - I think God alone is immortal. How come we are taught that we are immortal?

(5:12) Bible Study: Isaiah 41:13-20 Father talks about the meaning of Threshing floors. Matthew 11:11-15 God’s royal nature is there for those who really want it. (20:35) Break 1 (22:16) Letters: The decent of the Holy Spirit on Mary a fulfillment of the Spirit of God Descending on the Ark of the Covenant? Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (30:48) Break 2 (34:30) Word of the Day Reincarnation (37:00) Phones: Chuck - What is the sin of presumption? What was the relationship between Mary and relationships? Chuck - What does Romans 12:2 mean. What does it mean to offer ourselves as living sacrifices? Barbara - The deacon baptized my grandson with one drop o water for the Baptism. Is that ok? Colleen - What does the scripture about cleansing in the Temple mean? Steve - I say the Rosary a lot and I find myself replace the Old English words in the Rosary. Is this, ok? Dan - Did the thief go to Paradise or Hell? There seems to be a contradiction here.

(2:31) Bible Study: Isaiah 40:25-31 Father explains this interesting passage Matthew 11:28-30 Was Jesus being humorous in this passage? (17:21) Break 1 (19:00) Letters: How are Catholics and Orthodox similar in their Faith about the Eucharist? Father talks about the kingdom of God. Are Samaritans Gentiles or Jews?  Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:40) Break 2 (36:26) Word of the Day army (38:28) Phones: Kathy - Does wearing a veil tell people that I think I am better than them? Roman - Would A baseball cap also work to veil? Sue - can you address why some bibles don’t have Matthew 21?

(5:01) Bible Study: Isaiah 40:1-11 Even God’s punishment is a blessing. Matthew 18:12-14 How much does God value you? (20:26) Break 1 (22:02) Letters: Did Adam and Eve have guardian angels? I trust God, I don’t trust myself, what do I do? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:54) Break 2 (37:55) Word of the Day Opinion (39:46) Phones: Philip - In the church we make an effort to go early and I like to sit on the end of the Pew but my wife likes to slide to the center. My wife says Fr. would want us to scoot in. Mary - I am hard of hearing, and I can't hear the priest before my confession. I got yelled at for asking him to speak up. What do I do?

(2:30) Bible Study: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 How does this reading tie in with the Immaculate Conception? (23:00) Break 1 (26:52) Letters: What do different faiths believe about infant baptism? How do the commandments help us to know God’s will? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (36:50) Break 2 (37:31) Word of the Day Apple (39:15) Phones: Sharon - Did Mary have to say yes throughout her life, or it was a package deal with her first yes to the Angel Gabriel? How was it different than with Adam and Eve, before then sin? Gerrie - What do you know about the Alpha program, a Christian study, but I heard the Catholic Church is using it too. Mike - Regarding Mass this morning, when is it considered too late?

(3:15) Bible Study: Isaiah 29:17-24 Redeemed and the world to come. Matthew 9:27-31 What does this passage mean really? (21:39) Break 1 (23:21) Letters: Is there a difference between someone who sins and someone who is a regular sinner? How does the gift of tears relate to the other gifts of the bible? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (32:16) Break 2 (33:44) Word of the Day Santa Claus (37:02) Phones: Diane - In the New Testament it says 'many are called but few are chosen'. What does it mean that, 'few are chosen' Alonzo - The priest at Mass today said the Matthew that wrote the Gospel is not the same Matthew who was an Apostle. Is this true? Joseph - I want to push back against the letter you received about sin. Wouldn’t it be the case that if someone aims at a different target, they still miss the target so 'Hamartia' could still apply? Rich - In the New Testament the historic Jesus says he is not allowed to associate with the Canaanite woman. What is your interpretation of this passage? I think Jesus is rejecting Catholicism here because Catholicism comes from the Etruscans.

(4:38) Bible Study: Isaiah 26:1-6 Why is it important to know what is the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Where does the phrase Faith alone come from? (26:44) Break 1 (28:56) Letters: Father answers a question about a child who is studying Islam. Father talks about citizen ship and in particular our heavenly citizenship. Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (37:11) Break 2 (38:04) Word of the Day Rampart (39:46) Phones: David - I make a big deal about saving Christmas for the right time. My kids have started complaining when they hear Christmas music too early. I don’t want to raise a group of grinches but I want to celebrate at the right time. Maria - My friend was has a religious but is now a lay person and has a niece who is married but not in the church. She says she doesn’t need to say anything because Jesus says to love your neighbor and love god' Can you set her straight? Rita - tomorrow is first Friday and all of our priests will be at funeral. Will I have to start over my novena if they are just offering a communion service?

(4:37) Bible Study: Isaiah 25:6-10a Fatty foods in the Bible Matthew 15:29-37 The geological importance of this passage (19:17) Break 1 (31:52) Letters: Is it a sin to arrest protesters against a Pride parade? Father answers this and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:56) Break 2 (37:00) Word of the Day Amazed (40:09) Phones: Kimberly - I need to know about to making a sign of the cross with my left hand because my right shoulder is broken. Rita - When was the revision to the church calendar and when were some of the saints taken off? I’m trying to plan my funeral and I want to play some Elvis at my funeral. is that, ok? Hue - Mathew 6;18. My friend said that Catholics show off the ashes on our foreheads and we should do more praying in private. can you comment

(5:03) Bible Study: Isaiah 11:1-10 Father talks about the 7 gifts o the Holy spirit and how they are different from the manifestations of the spirit. Luke 10:21-24 Who are the people that know God well? (23:06) Break 1 (24:48) Letters: What was the early Mass like? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (33:33) Break 2 (37:44) Word of the Day Filioque (44:35) Phones: Anya - My son is starting to ask questions about protestants because he is surrounded by them at college. Where should I start? Lily - Is a Lutheran Baptism accepted in the Catholic church.

(5:39) Bible Study: Isaiah 4:2-6 The escape of Israel from the Assyrians Matthew 8:5-11 Father puts to rest a up and coming misinterpretation of this reading. (23:37) Break 1 (25:15) Letters: Is Galatians 4: 7 a reference to infant baptism? Why is baptism allowed in infants? What is the Byzantine Church?  Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:18) Break 2 (34:57) Word of the Day Trinity (40:08) Phones: Olivia - In the Old Testament there are two words that were used regarding Adam and Eve, and the consecration by Moses by his brother Aaron as high priest. Can you expand on those? Joseph - Does there need to be a sacrifice in order to be worshiped? Kathy - How to understand St. Catherine of Sienna's dialogue?