Father Simon Says

 James 2:14-24, 26 Fr. Simon discusses faith and works  Mark 8:34-9:1 About taking up the cross and following Him Letters What is the history of Lent?  What to do about forgetting  a sin in confession?  Bringing the Eucharist to my homebound mother  Does the Catholic Church have a teaching on Chiropractics?  How could Gentiles sin?  Word of the Day: Merous, "Speaking in Parts" Callers: Brings up an example of why we need "works" Question about Praise and Worship during Mass Question about the song "Rock of Ages" and if it's appropriate?

Jas 2:1-9 What is one of the great problems of our age?  Mk 8:27-33 Father discusses the reality of God's power Letters If I'm pregnant and not experiencing any issues in my pregnancy, can I receive anointing of the sick?  Father receives a letter about the children of Adam and Eve  A letter about being better than our ancestors  Father discusses why Israel required manna and quail Word of the Day: Speaking in tongues   Callers: My son committed adultery, and after that his mother in law said that he basically cursed the family.  What should he do now, especially b/c the mother in law lives with them?   Doing good to your enemies is like heaping coals of fire on their head.  This was an interpretation I have from yesterday's hearing?  What do you think about that? If we are supposed to keep the ashes together, why don't we keep relics together?  What's the basic theme of Paul's Letter to the Romans?

Jas 1:19-27 Why does God test us? And, what is anger?  Letters:  Do all of the terms for love mean the same in Latin?  Did Jesus appear to 500 people at the same time?  Is there hierarchy in heaven?  Eva asks about judgement  Word of the Day: Love never fails  Callers: My grandson was baptized and they used the wrong oil, is that still valid?   I'm having difficulties w/my marriage b/c my mother in law is competing for attention and love with her son/my husband?  What do I do? Any good book recommendations on Vatican II? Are the hands of Sedevanctist priests anointed and what they do is valid?  Could they bless my house?  

Jas 1:12-18 What are the leavens of our day? Mk 8:14-21 Does God tempt us?  Letters Father reads a letter about someone struggling with the Church Listener talks about reading the Bible every day How could Eve regret what she never experienced before?  Word of the day: Even more Corinthian musings! Callers Proverbs 25: 21-22, what does it mean by about give food to your enemies and the coals? If we've gone to confession throughout our lives, do those sins we confessed, appear in our final judgment? What does the Franciscan Coat of Arms mean? Was the crowning with thorns a common torture?

Jas 1:1-11 Father talks about the book, The Rise of Christianity and the early Jews that accepted Jesus Mk 8:11-13 Father tells a story of a priest who had problems with faith Letters: What is the role of fear in the Bible?  Did Adam and Eve have children before the fall?  At a particular mass, the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick was offered to many at the parish--was that OK?  Word of the Day: More Corinthian commentary!  Callers: Was leprosy, just a name meaning someone was contagious with something? Could you explain who St. Valentine is and when did St. Valentine's Day turn to Valentine's Day? When we know someone is suffering, and we commiserate w/them, do we suffer with them and that brings us closer to Christ? Which word did Jesus actually use in John 4 with the Samaritan? Is a confession valid if the priest and penitent speak different languages?

1 Kgs 11:4-13 Why did God deprive the Kingdom to Solomon?  Mk 7:24-30 Today's Gospel always upsets people; why?  Word of the Day: Father continues his commentary on 1 Cor 13:6 Callers:  How did the succession of kingship go from Solomon to Jesus? What is Father's opinion about the people that have said they've died, gone to heaven, and come back? Did Adam and Even have children in the garden? Why or why not Question about Luke 16:9 and mammon

1 Kgs 10:1-10 The Bible includes ancient trade negotiations?  Mk 7:14-23 What does 'to defile' mean? Letters: What happened to sacrificial animals?  Can I go to my Protestant recovery center?  Word of the day: To keep an account Callers:  Why we don't kneel during the Lamb of God and the Sanctus? I have a question about Agape and Filial love as seen in John 21: 15-17 and would like Father's interpretation Are you allowed to receive communion twice a day?

1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30 What is man that God thinks of us?  Mk 7:1-13 What was the washing of the hands about?  Letters:  What are Father's thoughts about Ann Catherin Emmerich Father answers a question about reincarnation  Father deals with 1 Cor 13:5 and recommends The Four Loves by CS Lewis Word of the day: Irritate  Callers: My daughter wants to leave the Church to marry a non-Catholic, can you give me some advice?  What does the word 'begotten' mean and was anybody else 'begotten'?

Mk 6:53-56 What is the significance of the hem of Jesus' garment?  Father also explains the significance of the resurrection account from Sunday's reading.  Letters:  Father explains who the magi were Word of the day: Agape  Callers Question about the Douay–Rheims Bible?  It has 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 3 Kings, 4 Kings but no Samuel? Question from today's 1st reading and question about the Ark of the Covenant mentioned in today's reading 

Sir 47:2-11 Who was Sirach? Father Simon Explains Mk 6:14-29 Father explains all the drama of the Herod family Letters Is Jesus the first born son?  What does it mean that Jesus says, "They may look but not see." The Eucharist at our monstrance is grey in color, how old is the Eucharist?  Word of the Day: Father continues his extended word study Callers:  A couple friends say that Peter wasn't the first pope and that Jesus didn't really appoint Peter as the head.  Could you help? How to help my daughter who's in argument regarding a friend who's lesbian?   Could you elaborate on what you said about contemporary praise/worship music is like 'me' music?

1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12 Should we expect perfection from humans?  Mk 6:7-13 Why does Jesus instruct the 12 to take nothing for the journey?  Letters Where does the dog in Tobit comes from?  If you receive only the host at mass, do you receive the Blood of the Lord?  What does it mean to be poor in spirit?  Word of the Day: Corinthians word study Callers:  A Muslim person told me that my bible is not reliable because it's undergone many translations as opposed to the Koran which hasn't been translated. Can Father explain?  I just lost two brothers recently, would the first brother know about the second brother dying, and could that first brother pray for him? Could I receive holy communion, if I wasn't married in the Church, and my wife was baptized Lutheran, could I still receive communion? My niece is getting married in a same-sex ceremony, I said I wouldn't go, but it's causing consternation.  What should I do?

Father talks about the feast of the presentation and virtue signaling  Letters: Why do the people dress us statues of Jesus on Candlemas?  Father explains why devotion to the Christ child is an important thing Are there good sins?  Can you highlight your Bible?  How do we understand Jesus' words about "they shall look and not see?" Word of the day: Word study on 1 Cor 13 Callers: Question about the standing altar in the General Instructions of the Mass Did the Holy Family flee to Egypt after the Presentation?

2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29 Father shares one of his 'most hairbrained theories' about the Scriptures  Mk 4:21-25 Is the bushel basket what we think it is?   Letters Father explains what a parable means  Why was the Gospel preach to the death?  Email asking with clarification about Romans and the Jewish faith Word of the Day: Priest   Callers:  How do we understand God's mercy and his justice  Ecclesiastes 11:1 'Cast thy bread upon thy water, for thou shalt find it after many days' Could you explain this verse. How do we understand contrition? Commenting on The soldier that touched the Ark of the Covenant and connecting to Peter and David. He would like to get Fr. Simon's reaction Question about the light and the first eastern star

2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13 The Bible doesn't sugar coat unsavory historical details  Mk 5:1-20 Is the Devil a good theologian?  Letters: I don't want my family to know my sins, is God going to tell them to my family?  Word of the day: "Love is," ETC Callers Is one more important than the other, the body or the blood?  How big of a loss is it to not receive the Blood of Christ at Mass? Will the sacrifices I make, eventually bring my children back to the Church, like going to mass twice a day?   Question about today's scripture and interpretation regarding the Gospel including the use of the word of 'Legion'

2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17 Father explains why the human family is dysfunctional  Letters:  What does counsel the doubtful mean?  How do I pronounce Nehemiah?  Can I insert my son's name in the litany of St. Joseph Can you recommend the history of words and languages? Word of the day: Kingdom (again!) Callers: About St. Thomas Aquinas about life begins 40 days after conception; could you clarify? Do you think Aquinas ripped up the Theologica because he realized that you don't have to understand? Why are there no Old Testament saints? I had a miscarriage years ago, and could you have a miscarried baby baptized?

2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29 Father shares one of his 'most hairbrained theories' about the Scriptures  Mk 4:21-25 Is the bushel basket what we think it is?   Letters Father explains what a parable means  Why was the Gospel preach to the death?  Email asking with clarification about Romans and the Jewish faith Word of the Day: Priest   Callers:  How do we understand God's mercy and his justice  Ecclesiastes 11:1 'Cast thy bread upon thy water, for thou shalt find it after many days' Could you explain this verse. How do we understand contrition? Commenting on The soldier that touched the Ark of the Covenant and connecting to Peter and David. He would like to get Fr. Simon's reaction Question about the light and the first eastern star

2 Tm 1:1-8 Father explains what the word priest means and the roles of Timothy, Titus, and Paul  Did Jesus design a structured Church?  Mk 5:1-20 What does it mean to say Jesus is LOGOS?  Letters: Aquinas defines love to will the good of the others; is that are we to love God?  Was St. Peter considered first among equals?  Word of the day: Bishop Callers: Question about Jewish people not allowed to drink blood, and relating to the Eucharist and drinking his blood? My son has been diagnosed w/cancer and I've been praying.  Is it okay to pray for the intercession of my late grandmother for my son. What should I do if I find the Eucharist (host) on the floor a day after, after a children's mass? What does he think about Taize prayer?

Acts 22:3-16 Father explains the cultural and religious dynamics of today's reading  Letters: How do we understand the Hebrew word, "Bar"? Why didn't David build the temple?  Does the priest have to say the correct words of absolution for confession?  Word of the day: Light  Callers: Question about woman deacons in the Church Question about the translation of the word Eucharist 

2 Sm 5:1-7, 10 Father discusses what scholars are confused about regarding today's reading Mk 3:22-30 What does Baal mean?  Father explains what the sin against the Holy Spirit is Letters: Father gets a letter from Dan about Wisdom 1:14 Father talks more about the seven deadly sins  Wouldn't the Shroud have been a bloody mess?  Word: Strongman Callers:  I have a fallen away friend and would like suggestions on how to bring her back to the faith How do I counsel a friend who is divorced?  How did the Church get her authority?  What happened to the gifts that Mary and Joseph received from the Magi?

Father talks about the seven deadly sins, especially anger Mk 3:13-19 Are we supposed to be sons and daughters of thunder?  Letters  Is anger used to work God's will?  Why is the word cardinal said in between the first and last name of a cardinal?  Father is asked about the cadaver synod  Word of the day: Twelve Callers: Can you describe the paschal mystery in a nutshell? At the end of the world, I thought it was only going to be heaven and hell. What about all the unborn children?