Father Simon Says

Check out this great show from March 27, 2025 (2:53) Bible Study:  Jeremiah 7:23-28 What does it mean to believe? Luke 11:14-23 Father talks about the need for a sign from heaven. (22:57) Break 1 (24:24) Letters: Father talks about how worship works and what God’s love has to do with worship. Father gives his thoughts on the episode of the Chosen about Lazarus. Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (36:03) Break 2 (36:41) Word of the Day: Beelzebul (38:54) Phones: Steve - The name of God is not spoken.  It's only spoken by the High Priest or whoever would go into the Holy of Holies.  They would tie a rope around the ankle of who was elected to go in.  Could you explain? Todd - On The Chosen, my opinion is Jesus relationship w/the Apostles is way too casual. Pat - A priest told me I'm going too much to confession, once a week.  What do you think? Henry - What 'haste makes waste' means and where in the Bible?

Here is a great show from March 15, 2023 Bible Study: (1:43) Dt 4:1, 5-9 Father recommends A Man for All Seasons.  Mt 5:17-19 How do we fulfill the law?  Letters (20:12) - What is the unpardonable sin (27:50) - My husband got ashes from an Episcopalian church, is that OK?  (29:01) - I don't like rock concert masses (32:20) - I have a question about Jeremiah that troubled me Word of the Day: Festal (35:31) Callers  (39:05) - Christians no longer practice the mosaic, law, isn't that a contradiction, about the Gospel today? (41:35) - A friend is transitioning to female, what could I do? (45:01) - Why are those who break the commandments still in heaven?  Responding to today's Gospel

Check out this great show from March 14, 2023 Bible Study: (1:51) Dn 3:25, 34-43 Father talks about what it means to be part of the Church Mt 18:21-35 The power of forgiveness  Letters (22:54) - Why did God regret making humans?  (29:53) - Should we hold our hands during the Our Father?  Word of the Day: Patient (33:24) Callers  (35:53) - Why was St. Francis on the date of July 16th, which is the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel? (40:20) - Why was there an image of the Egyptian God Toth in a Catholic Church? (43:54) - Question about the use of the English translation of 'brother.' (46:55) - Question about Jacob, Esau and the 'blessing'?

Check out this show from March 18, 2022 Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a Father gives the history of Joseph and his brothers Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Father explains precisely where Jesus was crucified and how it explains today’s Gospel Father explains the Church's teaching on evolution Letters I’m going to be a mid-wife, but the organization I’m going to work with supports contraception, is that OK? Father gets a letter about German greetings What is the purpose of life? Word of the day: Fruit

Check out this show from March 21, 2022 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab Were the ancients woke? Father explains.    Lk 4:24-30 Father explains the importance of unity Letters Question about the way my priest says the Collect Father talks about Revelation and Mary's role in salvation  Word of the Day: Agape    Callers Question about authority and the different books of the Bible, accepted in the Canon My sister is getting married outside the Church.  I'm her Maid of Honor; is it okay to continue being the Maid of Honor?   Could we change the words to the Nicene Creed to make it more personal?

Check out this great show from March 17, 2022 Jer 17:5-10 Father talks about the need for examination of conscience  Lk 16:19-31 Father talks about why the story of Lazarus is actually funny Letters Father answers a question on sola fide What are Father's thoughts about singing Tantum Ergo during communion?  Priest didn't want parishioner to talk about purgatory anymore Are leprechauns evil spirits? How can we show love to those in same-sex relationships without showing approval?  Father reads a question about liturgy and Latin   Word of the day: Metanoia

Check out his encore show from March 16, 2022 Jer 18:18-20 Father explains what we can learn from history  Mt 20:17-28 Was Jesus just a philosopher?  Letters Why do Catholics charge interest on their loans?  Can we believe in evolution? Can we pray the sorrowful mysteries everyday? Word of the Day: Servant Callers  What does it mean David was a man after Gods own heart? Did Jesus go to hell between his death and resurrection? How did early Christians celebrate Lent? 

Check out this show from March 15, 2022 Is 1:10, 16-20 What is superstition?  Mt 23:1-12 Father describes ancient Jewish rituals  Letters Question about disposing of Holy Things  Listener writes in clarifying if Christianity started as a sect of Judaism  Is it true that the Devil hates Latin?  Word of the Day: Father  Callers A friend of mine said that there were supposedly healing chants in the Bible, but the church wanted to take it out?  Could you respond to that? Why do we have communion in the hand?

Check out this great show from March 11, 2022! Ez 18:21-28 Who is the person that most wants us in heaven?  Mt 5:20-26 Father explains who the Pharisees were Letters Laura asks who in Ezra descended from the house of David a listener writes in expressing her frustration with her parish priest Word of the Day: Righteousness  Callers: A friend of mine said I don't need to pray that much for my sick wife because the Lord knows my intentions already.  What do I say to him? What is the diff between a good Catholic and a good Christian?

Check out this great show from March 10, 2022 Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25 Father explains the historical details surrounding the story of Esther Mt 7:7-12 Father explains how Christians pray Letters Father corrects the record about Psalm 50 Listener's husband has early onset dementia (diagnosed at 48/50 years old) and relays her suffering and God's goodness Is it improper to put a crucifix on the back of a motorcycle? Father talks about the Veil Removed movie Word of the Day: Amen and Alleluia  Callers: My grandma died 5 weeks ago and I was her main caregiver. How do I move forward?  Does God love Satan since he made him? I love going to Rock Shops and sometimes they have goofy new age things, is it okay I go there?   Can we gain plenary indulgences for people in Purgatory?

Check out this show from March 9, 2022 Jon 3:1-10 Did Jonah exist? Father explains  Lk 11:29-32 What is the sign of Jonah?  Letters: Can I break my Lenten fast on Sundays?  Why do people bow to the priest processing in?  Why do some dioceses have different holy days of obligation? Father talks about the importance of recollection before mass Word of the Day: Altar  Callers  What does 'the Word became flesh' mean? Should I be worried that I wasn't baptized correctly? I'm 82 years old. How do I talk to our priest, as I feel he's disrespectful, because he's always late for mass? Was Jesus in the tomb for three days? 

Check out this great show from February 20, 2024 Bible Study: (2:04) Is 55:10-11 Why do be bother to pray & doing God's Will Mt 6:7-15 What does it mean that God is Father?  Letters: (22:26) - Altar Stone questions (24:53) - Why is Jesus unbloodied on the crucifix?  (29:33) - Crucifix on the altar  (30:24) - What's the deal with Holy Water?  Word of the Day: Debtors (34:03) Callers: (37:33) -What is our duty to try and become one as God commanded and unite the church? (43:32) - The cloth (shroud)  is called an antimension - it's meant to be used for mass if they were not able to celebrate on a consecrated alter. (45:43) - My church asked me to be the beer cart lady at the fish fry and I have a problems with this. Can I get your thoughts? (47:47) - My brother has been thinking about joining the free masons -What should I say? 

Check out this encore show from March 10, 2025 (2:03) Bible Study: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 Why is Leviticus such an important book? Father explains Matthew 25:31-46 How does this reading connect with Leviticus? Don’t worry It fits better than you’d think. Luke 4:1-13 Is there importance to the word “if” in this passage? (22:04) Break 1 (25:50) Letters: Does the burnt offering always have to be male in the Old Testament? Do I need to confess a mortal sin if I don’t realize I committed it? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (39:36) Break 2 (40:09) Word of the Day: Minister (41:25) Phones: Judy – Because there are so many religions, I’m concerned that one of them may be wrong, and what is your opinion on that, and set me straight? Pam – Didn’t Satan know Jesus was the son of God? Angela – My husband died a couple year ago. If he’s in heaven/purgatory, does he hear me when I call out to him/talk to him? Patty – There’s one commandment, about follow the Sabbath. When did we no longer follow the Sabbath. When change and why?

Check out this awesome show from March 7, 2025 (2:40) Bible Study:  Isaiah 58:1-9a – While it may seem like a condemnation of fasting, this is not so as Jesus himself fasted. Taking up your cross and denying yourself means saying no to yourself. Freedom is the ability to do the right thing and that is the point of fasting, to be free and exercise freedom. Matthew 9:14-15 – If your fasting makes you quarrelsome and difficult don’t bother with it. If your fasting gives you the freedom to be charitable that is good. Jesus talks about being the Bridegroom. (16:08) Break 1 (16:53) Letters: Were there actually angels who had relations with humans? The word “Nephilim” means “fallen ones”. Daryl - I was wondering about the DaVinci Code and wanted to know if Mary Magdalene the wife of Jesus? There is no history in the DaVinci Code. Did Judas conspire with Jesus to have him crucified? No, that is nonsense. Be careful what you name your kids and don’t name your kids “Judas”. (32:25) Break 2 (33:29) Word of the Day:  Sacrament (39:34) Phones: Ed - How many times a day could I receive the Eucharist? Gerard - About the Eucharist, in the Passion 2000 years ago, basically Jesus surrendered himself.   Does Jesus do the same thing at Mass.  Could you clarify? Jane - In the Jubilee Year, what is the deal with indulgence? can you obtain one for yourself and another? Nancy - Organizing a confirmation retreat, any advice on how to explain the sacrament to teens?

Check out this great show from February 15, 2024 Bible Study: (2:01) Dt 30:15-20 Father discusses the importance of law Letters: (21:54) - Atonement - Did God punish Jesus for our sins?  (25:55) - I can see why someone would want to go to a Protestant church!  Word of the Day: The cross (33:20) Callers: (37:24) - Those commandments steer us in the direction we need to go; we should be grateful for them. Where would we be without them? (41:43) - Where do Catholics get offering up our pains to God let our suffering be in union with him? Some people at my Bible study think it won't help us. (45:24) - Is it a sin to ignore a mass that is playing on the radio? (46:52) - How did Noah know what food was clean and unclean?

Check out this awesome Encore show from March 5, 2025 (3:00) Bible Study:  Joel 2:12-18 Father talks about trumpets which were used for more than just playing music. 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Father explains what an elder is and why they are important. Father also talks about repentance. (22:26) Break 1 (23:30) Letters: Are TVs in church okay to have? How is the Son of Man used in different places of the bible? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:36) Break 2 (36:39) Word of the Day: Lent (37:30) Phones: Robert - I'm a recovering alcoholic, and I seem to want to speak to God more when I drink more.   If it's wrong to do that?   Is it the booze speaking?   I feel like I'm more into God when I'm drinking. Andrew - I seem to remember seeing a rubric that explained when screens are being used during mass. Diane - I have a way that the cameras would be good, and if the cameras were pointing at the people and the televisions were pointing at Jesus and Jesus would see everyone in living color. Joseph - Been trying to call Knights of Columbus, but they haven't really been good help as I'm trying to find a way to get to mass.  What to do? Alex - I have a 16-year-old who's attending a non-Catholic Church, what's the best way to approach conversation.

On today's "Fr. Simon Says", Fr. Simon dives into the meaning of temptations, plus did you know that there are two Greek words for the English word "crown?   (2:56) Bible Study from James 1:12-18 and Mark 8:14-21.   (22:32) Break 1 (22:40) Letters (22:45) What time zone do I fast in when I am traveling?  (26:20) Patty – The book of Samuel stunned me. (40:06) Break 2 (40:15) Word Of The Day - "Crown"  (43:22) Phones  (43:30) Casey - Could you explain Judges 19:28-30? It's very confusing.    

Bible Study (3:03) James 1:1-11 The Catholic Church is the gathering of Israel John 14:6 Why did Jesus groan from the depth of his heart?  Letters (23:30) - Transgender care and insurance  (27:15) - historicity of the book of Daniel  (30:08) - Purgatory and the Bible (31:45) - God's Forgiveness  Word of the Day (34:34) Zizania  Callers  (37:19) - Who writes the prayers for the Mass?  (40:55) - Holy Days of Obligation  (43:44) - The Quran and Jesus  (45:47) - Is it ok to go to Mass twice on Ash Wednesday? (46:34) - Perpetual virginity of Mary 

(5:44) Bible Study: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19 Trust in God not in politics Mark 7:31-37 Father explains the geography of the Holy Land (21:59) Break 1 (23:47) Letters: Is the death penalty moral? Can you go to a Mass that is not your language and fulfil your Sunday obligation? Father answers these and other questions. send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (39:52) Break 2 (40:28)Word of the Day Groaned (41:29) Phones: Tony - Why did Jesus have to go to hell for three days before he rose again. Mark - I disagree with your points on the death Penalty. Judy - which is the earliest translation of the prayer: 'debts or trespasses'? Mark - After the Kyrie some people do the sign of the cross why is that?

(3:15) Bible Study: 1 Kings 11:4-13 What happened to Salomon that made him go bad? Mark 7:24-30 The true nature of this stories conversation. (20:09) Break 1 (22:02) Letters: Should you hold hands during the Our Father? Father explains the prayer to St. Michael. Ho do you combat a habit of vice with a habit of virtue? Father answers these and other question send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (33:51) Break 2 (34:41) Word of the Day Foot (37:46) Phones: April - Why would Jesus turn water into wine? It seems trivial. Joseph - You have been talking about David and Bathsheba and I heard recently that if a woman resisted the bible would usually note her purity. do you have a comment on this? Susan - It seems like demon possession is what we call epilepsy. is this right? could you be more clear about what these possessions look like? Maria - could my un religious relative fit the description of the dogs with the crumbs? Pat - Can someone who is about die and refuses lasts rite still go to heaven?