Father Simon Says

Mt 24:42-51 This parable, Fr. Simon says, would have been greeted with humor. Mass Hysteria: Father talks about the document on the Liturgy from The Second Vatican Council. Letters: Letter from someone raised in the Christian Reformed Church Natural Family Planning and Humane Vitae comment Word of the Day: Blameless and Holiness Callers: When it comes to learning Latin, how do you know you’re not making mistakes;  Also a question about Nimrod in Book of Ezekiel? What does the sign of the cross mean?

1 Thes 2:9-13 Why was anonymity hard to come by in the ancient world? Mt 23:27-32 What are whitewashed tombs? Mass Hysteria: Bringing Sanity to Liturgical Conversations Father explains that Protestants don’t see mass as a sacrifice Letters Letter from a church musician about church music Word of the day: Whitewashed Callers Why the Jewish people don’t believe that Jesus was God? I’m a product of LifeTeen, and there’s a lot fruit from LifeTeen especially in Phoenix. Could Father comment? Who made the mass entertainment, and who’s responsible for trying to make it entertainment?

Who was St. Bartholomew? And what does Nathaniel mean? Rv 21:9b-14 Father explains a Jewish wedding custom Jn 1:45-51 Why is the fig tree important? Mass hysteria: Father talks about some of the liturgical prescriptions of the Second Vatican Council Letters Letter about wedding garment and baptismal garment and what to wear to mass Is there an appropriate time for applause for mass? Word: to deceive Callers Two Strikes at Birth: Original Sin and then concupiscence.    Could you help me understand? During the mass, one Greek response like in Kyrie Elision.  Why only Greek part in the mass? Was John the Baptist born without original sin? I was raised Christian Reform and taught about atonement, especially John 6:44 What are Fr.’s thoughts on possibility on limited atonement?

1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10 One of the oldest NT documents Mt 23:13-22 Fr. Simon unpacks the drama between the Scribes and Jesus Liturgical musings: Father gives his thoughts about liturgical issues Letters How is it our salvation to give God thanks? What happens if my confirmation sponsor isn’t Catholic? Word: Gehenna Callers: Does Father have an opinion about Kabala?

Jgs 11:29-39a Did God want Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter? Letters Did people really live 900 years old in the Bible? What do we call leaders of other faith traditions Is it sinful to remember the pleasures of previous sinful acts–also, can you sin after death? Do Jews believe in hell? Word Wedding Garment  

Jgs 9:6-15 Father describes the drama of Gideon in Judges Mt 20:1-16 Jesus talk’s about God’s justice in today’s Gospel Letters What is a litany, and why would we need to say it? Question about spirits and Dungeons and Dragons Word: Thy Callers Why does the Lord want us to accept that it is his body and blood? How can I deal with habitual sin?

Jgs 6:11-24a Father explains all of the dynamics of the Book of Judges, including atheism in the Old Testament. Letters; When we die, do we meet God and then go to heaven or hell? Father answers a question about Baptism Letter about 1 Kings, Solomon, and the Blessed Mother Question about the number of children to have Word of the Day: Angel/Messenger

Jgs 2:11-19 Father sees parallels between the situations going on in this passage Scripture and today’s society. Letters Question about Biblical taxes Father explains the importance of Baptism Gesture should we have during the consecration? Word To Guard Callers Are there apparitions about the rise of Germany? Why is there so much suffering in the world? Question about the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement

Mt 19:3-12 Father explains why God gives so many rules! Letters What happens to your guardian angel when you’re in purgatory? Letter about Catholics and Eastern Churches Word of the Day: Shiboleth Callers Was there a threat to John the Baptist during the slaughter of the Holy Innocents? Does Father like the Catholic Study Bible? Did Mary die and then assumed into heaven? I’m going through the annulment process, and I’m really struggling with it.  Could you help me?

Jos 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17  Father explains the Biblical figure, Joshua. Mt 18:21–19:1 The key to understanding this Gospel is understanding the royal nature of God. Letters Letter about Pokémon and Dungeons and Dragons How should we receive communion? Word of the Day: Dulos Callers Question about marriage and re-entering the Church

Dt 34:1-12 Moses knew the Lord face to face Mt 18:15-20 What does it mean to treat our brother as a tax collector? Why should we memorize this Gospel passage? Letters Question about the Book of Enoch Thank you letter about praying for a listener How can I pick a spouse? Can Catholics donate their bodies to a body farm? Word of the day: Name Callers How do we understand Wisdom literature? My mom and sister they’re converting to a Baptist Church.  Is it okay for us to attend that ceremony even though we’re Catholics? If it’s possible to be composted in a consecrated compost ground?

2 Cor 9:6-10 What does being a cheerful giver mean? Jn 12:24-26 Jesus is not a philosopher–he’s a sacrifice Letters: Is it sinful to play with Pokémon? Word of the Day: Deacon Callers Comment about Dungeons and Dragons Question about confession

Dt 10:12-22 Father takes a look at Deuteronomy from a bird’s eye view and mentions the importance of welcoming the stranger Mt 17:22-27 What’s the temple tax that Jesus is talking about? Letters Question about judgement Are trials God’s punishment? Word of the Day: ALIEN Callers How Fr. Simon understands Catholics voting decisions What psalm was Jesus reciting on the cross?

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?