Father Simon Says

1 Kgs 21:17-29 When we do evil, we get evil Mt 5:43-48 How do I love my enemies? Letters I've accumulated many Catholic items and I don't want to let them go; what should I do with them? Kathleen thanks Father for playing 'Back in the Saddle Again.' Father Simon talks about the importance of good liturgy  Word of the Day: Tax Collectors Callers How to answer friends who asking me to go to their Same-Sex wedding? What should we call 'a lot of miracles'? 'Behold your son, and behold your mother'  Does this refer to the fact about Mary being widow and possibly being stoned? 'People of Goodwill'  Doesn't everybody think they're a people of Goodwill?

1 Kgs 21:1-16 What's the sin of Jezebel? Father warns against using religion for one's personal gain Word of the day: Scoundrel Callers Can Father explain the Ascension? Is it okay to do a Eucharistic service without a priest or deacon?  When did baptisms start for 'regular' people?   What are Father's thoughts about replacement theory?  If you have holy water in a bottle, and pour it another bucket of water, does that other bucket become holy?

1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16 What are boundary stones? And why aren’t we better than our ancestors? Letters Should we evangelize the Amish?  What is the Catholic teaching on the perfect government?  Mary comments on St. Paul's preaching and why his sermon 'bombed.'  Letter about the devil hating Latin Bob writes about Fulton sheen and a young Chinese woman 'Little Li' Mary Ellen- there is a theory that St. Paul made prayer shawls (Talit)  Word of the Day: Unlawful  

1 Kgs 18:41-46 Father tell us who Elijah is like?  Mt 5:20-26 What is real righteousness?  Letters How can we teach Floridians to dress more appropriately for mass?  Can we change the term 'un-born' children to 'un-delivered' children? A reader asks about the future in heaven--can God reveal the unseen world to us?  In Ezekiel when it says "I saw water flowing from the Temple," from which direction was it flowing?  What did they call the Church in the early centuries of Christianity?  Why aren't we more clear about fasting on Fridays?  When should the priest make announcements at Church?  I work overnight--can I say the morning offering later in the day when I wake up?  Kelly asks about marijuana and alcohol Word of the Day: Raqa

1 Kgs18:20-39   What's the religious context of 1 Kgs?  Word of the Day: Fulfill Letters: What did Joseph feel when he found out Mary was pregnant? Did he go with Mary to visit Elizabeth?  Is there a good children's Bible I could use?  David from San Antonio writes about a time when an Extraordinary Minister 'consecrated' the host while simulating the mass. Was this wrong?  What is the difference between the archangels and regular saints?  Jenny from AZ sends in a joke Frank in LA sends in a question about the census of Quirinius

1 Kgs 17:7-16 Who was Jezebel and why was she significant?  Mt 5:13-16 How does salt really lose its taste?  Letters Where were Mary, Martha, and Lazarus when Jesus was crucified?  Listener: woman should be encouraged to have children, not persuaded to have an abortion Isn't an argument for abortion, "it would be better that this person hadn't been born?" Listener gives a comment about leadership in animals I couldn't make The Walk to Mary, so I walked 13 miles to my mother's house  Father talks about the reasons for marriage I received rosaries and coins in the mail, what should I do with them?  Jim writes in about the woman who poured nard on Jesus' feet? My daughter's religion teacher said "in the quest for wisdom, off topic is on topic." One of my fellow teachers said she's dating a woman. What should I do?  Sometimes when I pray, I feel a presence--what is that?  Listener writes in about near death experiences Can I bless or consecrate the family home on my own or

Gn 3:9-15, 20 What is the enmity that is put between the woman and the man? Letters Steve asks about Peter being the Vicar of Christ, Revelation, and Jerusalem, "the great city" What does it mean, "to carry all mankind on one's shoulders?" in reference to the Divine Mercy Chaplet? Pamala has a prayer for priests to share In the holy land, people avoid the heat of the day, would it have been unusual for Nicodemus to visit Jesus in the night? What is a victim soul? Should Father get extra computer screens? Is it morally OK to parachute out of an airplane? Word of the Day: Cosmos

First Reading: Acts 25:13b-21 Father talks about what it meant for Paul to be a Roman Citizen, and how Paul was able to escape torture and death on several occasions. Letters Father answers emails - Catholics can use Pain killers! Word of the Day Agape Callers Mercedes - What does it mean when you hear the words, 'farewell discourse'? Gwen - Question about 1st Fridays.  Supposed to go to nine first Fridays, but also go to confession?  Go to confession that day, or what's the requirement for that? Debra - Question of Root word of Reconciliation, and root word 'Celia’ Could you clarify? Laura -Receiving communion, but not married in the Catholic Church.  This is my situation.  Could you help me?

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Father explains the founding story of our civilization Callers Advice for best scripture for friend as friend does wicca and witchcraft? What are Father's thoughts on comparing the glorified bodies of Jesus and Mary?  Has God ever done something twice on a holy day?  Since we believe that cremation is okay, but not scattering the ashes, why are relics okay and spreading them all over the world? Pope Francis said 'guarding dead traditions is dangerous for the life of the Church'  What does Fr. Simon think of that statement? Word of the Day: Scribe

Acts 20:28-38 What is the council of elders?  Letters What should Catholics do if they think abortion is bad for Catholics but ok for non-Catholics. What should I do?  Listener ponders if St. Paul had a pork chop after lifting the restrictions on pork? How do songs get approved for liturgical use?  How do we protect ourselves from evil spirits?  Are there resources for children about Catholic Social Teaching?  https://www.usccb.org/resources/themes-catholic-social-teaching https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/catholic-social-teaching-handout-for-children-digital.pdf Word of the Day: Consecrated Callers  On the person who wasn't receiving communion at mass because of COVID.  Could that person just receive the Precious Blood?  My Aunt belongs to a Protestant Church that says they're 'all inclusive'.  What does 'all inclusive' mean?

Father discusses this bible: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-new-testament-lattimore/1119742004 Zep 3:14-18a Did Jesus sing? Rom 12:9-16 What's sincere love? Lk 1:39-56 Who was the second person to accept Christ? Letters I have an atheist wife and we just listened to Psalm 37 on Bible in a Year. Can you explain? Was Absalom an anti-type of Christ? Word of the Day: Sincere Callers Gina asks about confessing sins to another How does a song get sanctioned to be used in Church?   I'm 84 years old and trying to plan my funeral mass.  Any advice on planning a funeral mass? Question about receiving Holy Communion and COVID during the Easter Season. 

Gospel - Jn 16:20-23 We are going through a valley of tears here on this earth.  But it's more than that, we are here on this earth to learn something. We must learn how to sacrifice. Letters Email – Do damned souls become demons? Email - regarding tragedy in our nation. Email - I want to hear what people mean when they say they would like to hear from you at a later time? Word of the Day Tribunal Callers Garrett - Could you explain 1 John 5: 15-17.  Question about mortal sin and praying for them?  Could you explain these verses? Roland - His opinion on 'The Chosen' and what does he think of it?  I'm part of a fellowship in my parish, and they're showing it. Scott - Question about St. John XXIII, if he could be the saint, I pray more than the other saints? Belinda - If people are still considered Catholic and leaving the Church and gone for a long time Jim – When Jesus said in a little while you will not see me and then in a little while you will see me, is that a E

First Reading Acts 18:1-8 Paul went to Athens to try to win the people over with intellectual arguments because the people of Corinth were living a life of immorality with the Priestess of the false goddess Venus. Letters: Email – Have you ever heard the phrase “learn to Obey oh Dust”? Email - How can I get more summer visitation with my daughter? My Ex doesn't want to give me more time with her. Email - Were the Athenians into trending things? Word of the Day: “Tentmaker” Calls Pam - Is there a good book on Mother Teresa? Mike - Stories that the Catholic Church restricted people from reading the bible in the Middle Ages. Charles - Comment:  Eucharist was still Eucharist.  Wants to share story of little Chinese girl licking the Eucharist floor Deedee - Regarding the Ascension of the Lord.  According to my Catholic calendar, on the 26th, is the Ascension of the Lord.  But Sunday, it says the Ascension of the Lord?  Could you help

First Reading - Acts 17:15, 22—18:1 While we should try to inflict suffering on ourselves, the Christian doesn't try to avoid pain, but rather embrace it. We find meaning in suffering by uniting it to Jesus Christ  and the suffering he endured with his Cross.  Letters: Abe - Is it okay to sing Pan de Vida in Church? Jesus – Would an Angel show up to a person as an Angel showed up to me? Jordan - Since Jesus is part of the Trinity can we say we receive God when we receive communion. Email - I am a 26 year old man and many of my piers don't go to church. Why don't more young people attend Catholic Church? Word of the day Escort Callers Matt - About being able to pray for somebody's soul, and they died years before.  God being outside of time.  Could you help me with this? Dave - I feel a little lost in my faith.  I've strayed away and how to get back into it. Maryanne - What is mortal sin and venial sin and how could tell the difference? Bill -&nbs

Acts 16:22-34 What do Paul and Silas show us?  Jn 16:5-11 Why is it good that Jesus is on the heavenly throne?   Letters My 10-year old son wants to know what "take what I say with a grain of salt" means Why do the readings talk about a certain number of fish caught There seems to be a lot of antisemitism in early Christianity; how do we understand this? Word of Day: Convict Callers Is there any reason why we can't have Gregorian masses for someone that's alive? Question about baptism: I have a friend who hasn't been baptized.  He wonders why Catholics baptize babies; what should I say?  Can women expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration?  Did St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary have any children after Jesus? I'm going through a divorce does Fr. Simon had any words of encouragement for me?

Acts 16:11-15 Why do we use Holy water at mass? Jn 15:26—16:4a How do we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit? Letters What should I do if my co-worker is into crystals?  Father answers a question on divination Word of the day: Intoxicate Callers Some cultures use marijuana spiritually; what does Father think about that? I smoked since teen years Marijuana, but stopped, and I just want to share the negative effects that it had on me. What does it mean to say "He's going to send another paraclete," could you explain?

Acts 15:22-31 Can we eat meat sacrificed to idols? Letters Why did Pilate and Herod become friends? Why is Egg Harbor called Egg Harbor? When Ez says water is flowing from the side of the Temple, where was that? Word of the Day: Eucharist Callers Is it a sin to smoke marijuana?  Can Father help me distinguish these passages? Matthew 5:39 & 1 Corinthians 5:13

Acts 15:7-21 How did one become a priest in ancient times?  Jn 15:9-11 How did the Father love Jesus?  Word of the day: Apocalypse  Letters When we kneel during the Passion narrative, what are we supposed to do?  Can God do evil?  Will the promises made by the Lord for those who pray the chaplet apply to me?  What does eternal security mean (Jn 10) Is my confirmation valid?  What are the steps of forgiveness? Listener has a question about ancient Lebanon 

Acts 15:1-6 Father discusses the religious and cultural dimensions of circumcision Jn 15:1-8 God’s purpose is to do what in our lives? Letters Can Catholics see R-rated movies? My friend is being charged $200 for a baptism; is that OK? Can priests watch secular TV shows? Why does Father talk about Pentecostalism? What’s the tradition about where Lazarus went? What is spy Wednesday? What was the follow-up after the soldiers rolled the dice? Word of the Day: NEW

Acts 14:19-28 When has the Church been strong? Jn 14:27-31a What was one of the great messianic expectations? Letters What is the Holy Communion fast? What's Father's take on Ez 20:25-26? Listener talks about her experience of confession and forgiveness Listener asks Father Simon about Milton's Paradise Lost Word of the Day: Believe! Callers  When we die do we go right to heaven?  Is it a sin to go to a Protestant service, while also still going to mass on Sunday?  Is it a sin to not play music for mass, when you have the ability to do that? I'm a cabinet maker, and I have Indian clients that want me to build a temple. Is that okay? I'm unclear about the Gods like Zeus, Jupiter;  did they have power?