Father Simon Says

Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 How much is too much in cultural adaptation? Jn 8:31-42 To we follow the Lord only for ourselves?  Letters Can Father explain, 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  Reader writes in asking about fasting rules  Word of the day: Bagpipe  Callers Who is in the Sanhedrin? What is the connection of the tree of life and the cross of Christ?&n...

Nm 21:4-9 What is a saraph serpent? Father explains  Jn 8:21-30 Father explains why the Gospel of John is so obscure Letters What was it about the way Jesus spoke that made people believe in him?  Father revisits a question about religious education and the sacraments  Word of the Day: I AM Callers: What is legally require Catholics to do on Good Friday? Are they able to go to work...

Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62 What's the point of today's reading? Father explains the twelve tribes Jn 8:12-20 Where does Jesus manifest who he is?  Letters Our parish doesn't have a youth group, and my child wants to go to the Lutheran youth group. What should I do? Word of the day: Susanna Callers I am discussing marriage with my boyfriend, who is not Catholic. How can I help...

Wis 2:1a, 12-22 Is Wisdom a book of lesser value?  Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?  Letters What makes Catholics so special compared to other religions?  Word of the Day: Greek Callers: Why doesn't the Catholic church let priests marry? Does April Fool's day have a religious connection or origin? I saw a video arguing against Catholicism. They presented it a...

Ex 32:7-14 What was the purpose of the Golden Calf?  Jn 5:31-47 Father talks about the nature of authority  Letters Question about the bishop's liturgical garments during mass Did Mary have a virgin birth?  Who were the thieves that died next to Jesus Word of the day: Wrath  Callers Can you tell me more about Opus Dei? Do you need to enter holy orders to become a saint? Our Dir...

Is 49:8-15 Father goes through some of the most beautiful words in the Old Testament Jn 5:17-30 Father shares a hairbrained theory of Jesus and miracles  Letters: What does a mystery mean?  If I'm in a toxic marriage, what should I do?  Do you see an increase in spiritual attack against traditional marriage?  Word of the Day: The Resurrection of Condemnation  Callers I hav...

Father talks about the followers of John the Baptist that still exist today!  Jn 5:1-16 Why were the people unimpressed by the miracle?  Letters: In today's Gospel, was the man sick because of his sin?  I work with a group of those with disabilities, can I eat meat with them?  Father answers a question about the homily and when it must be preached Sarah asks about the surrender...

Check out this great show from March 28, 2022! Is 65:17-21 What has changed because Jesus is the Messiah?  Jn 4:43-54 Father discusses the significance and purpose of miracles Letters: Listener asks about the theory that a prophet dies on the anniversary of his conception What does this passage of scripture mean, "For our sake he made himself to be sin..."?  Word of the Day: Sin  Ca...

Father explains the significance of Marian devotion and consecration Lk 1:26-38 Father explains the prophecy in today's Gospel & the word Emmanuel  Letters Emily asks Father about the Divine Mercy Chaplet Word of the Day: Consecration  Callers: What's the church's teaching on meditation? What does it mean to love God with all of my heart, mind, and soul?  Caller has a question a...

Jer 7:23-28 Father explains faithfulness and how it's not as present in today's culture Father talks about the significance of Our Lady of Fatima Luke 11: 14-23 Father talks about exorcisms and the "finger of God" Letters --Is it wrong to celebrate w/family on Saturday night before Easter? --If we aren't supposed to eat meat on Fridays for Lent, why could we eat fish?  --A listener asks about...

Dt 4:1, 5-9 Father explains some of the complexities of Jewish ritual law Mt 5:17-19 Father tells a story about a friend who is always calling people to charity  Letters Do you need to fast on Friday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation?  Father received a letter from a mom whose daughter is in a same-sex relationship. Where is the line between constant forgiveness and a toxic relati...

2 Kgs 5:1-15ab What is the Septuagint and why is it relevant to today's reading?  Lk 4:24-30 Father talks about the folly of our own expectations Word of the Day: Immaculate  Letters:  Katherine asks about a goat sacrifice during Yom Kippur

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...

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 Ger...

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 t...

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 resurrecti...

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...

Check out this encore show from March 14, 2022 Dn 9:4b-10 God will forgive sins, but won't he forgive? Lk 6:36-38 Father talks about what one of the most important words of the Bible is Letters Why do people bow to the priest as he approaches the altar? Caller writes in about quiet in the sacristy If confirmation completes baptism, does it make up for any defect in my original baptism? Word of the...

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 intent...

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 R...

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...

I s 55:10-11 Who is the ultimate statement of God?  Mt 6:7-15 What's the most challenging verse in today's passage?  Letters Listener writes in about an infanticide bill What's the altar of repose?  With all the signs of tribulation happening, why doesn't the Catholic Church talk about the rapture?  Was 'take up your cross' a common phrase in Jesus' time?  Word of the Day:...

Lv 19:1-2, 11-18 Why does Catholicism have so many rules?  Mt 25:31-46 Are we saved by our works?  Letters: Mother lost contact with her formerly abusive father---should she write to him?  Father reads a letter about population issues--Countries in Africa are growing above replacement levels Can Catholics do a rosary marathon for peace? Is sleep paralysis a form of spiritual attack?...

Is 58:1-9a Why do we actually fast?  Mt 9:14-15 Father discusses the rule of fasting  Letters Father gets a letter about 'Amazing Grace'; Father gives a history of the song Is there salt in holy water?  Can a non-Catholic read at mass Listener writes in about her experience of Anglicans and the communion of saints  Word of the day: Cry out Full-throated Callers: What advice cou...

Dt 30:15-20 Father asks whether we can break the law of God   Lk 9:22-25 Father talks about what the cross is actually about  Letters Father reads a letter about the nature of salvation Can a validly baptized not Catholic go to confession?  Can I open the tabernacle without the pastor's permission? Word of the Day: commandments, statues, and judgements  Callers Can you clarify...