Father Simon Says

1 Mc 2:15-29 Father talks about the old religion of mythology Lk 19:41-44 Why does Father think today’s Gospel is problematic? Mass Hysteria: What does the word Catholic mean? Letters:  What is the difference between consubstantiation and transubstantiation? Word of the day: Pallisade Callers: Question about baptism and coming into the Catholic Church. How does Jesus stays with us after Holy...

Father talks about the history of St. Elizabeth of Hungary 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31 Father talks about the Mexican Cristeros and exhorts us to have the bravery to live well now. Lk 19:11-28 Father explains how much the talent was worth Mass Hysteria: Father discusses sacred music in the USA Letters: Are the Patriarchs in heaven? Beth writes that Mass Hysteria has made her rethink what hymns should be at ma...

2 Mc 6:18-31 When do we disobey legitimate authority? Lk 19:1-10 What does it mean to render unto Caesar? Father also explains why no one is beyond the love of God Mass Hysteria: Father muses about the wedding he went to this weekend. Letters: Father talks about St. Gertrude prayers aren’t part of the deposit of faith Letter was disappointed All Saints wasn’t a holy day this year Shoul...

1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 Father begins Maccabees giving historical details, including what the mark of the covenant was Lk 18:35-43 What are we saved by? Mass hysteria: Father talks about worshipad orientem  Word of the Day: Please Letters: Question about scapular enrollment Father answers a question about Jesus’ two natures Letter talking about proper attire for mass Why do Catholi...

Wis 13:1-9 Father talks about atheism and arguments for the existence of God Lk 17:26-37 What does Dr. Scott Hahn think about these apocalyptic passages? Mass Hysteria: Father opines more about loud organ music Word of the Day: Firmament Letters Father talks about the apocalypse Is the Blood of Christ less important than the Body of Christ? What is the heavenly value of confession? Letter about Je...

Wis 7:22b–8:1 What is real wisdom? Lk 17:20-25 Where will God’s royal nature appear? Is Jesus’ Kingdom political? Mass Hysteria: Father reads a letter about some of the church songs from the 70s Word of the day: Cross and Crucifix Letter: Do my prayers count? Question about the three days of darkness; what is it? Father talks about marriage in the ancient world Dad asks about his agnos...

Wis 6:1-11 Father talks about wisdom and politicians Lk 17:11-19 What’s the meaning of leprosy in the law? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about incense at mass Word of the Day: Master Callers Did we all arrive from Noah’s and his family? Does God love everyone? Where does priestly celibacy come from?

Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 What is Ezekiel’s vision about? 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17 Who is the historical Jesus? Jn 2:13-22 Father explains who the money changers of the ancient world was Mass Hysteria: Father talks about ancient temples and Church architecture Letters: Father answers another letter about quoting St. Augustine and St. Francis regarding anger. Father wars about even righteous anger Lette...

Wis 1:1-7 What is justice? Father also explains different kinds of love. Lk 17:1-6 Father talks about the real meaning of scandal and why we should be wary of little scandals Mass Hysteria: Father recommends listeners study 1 Sam 15:23 Letters: Letter about the distinction between performance vs praise during mass Question about who can be a Confirmation sponsor Word of the Day: Stuff Callers: Is...

Rom 14:7-12 Father says we’re members of a universal Church; what does that mean? Lk 15:1-10 Father talks about meeting a shepherd turned seminarian who gives insight about going to find lost sheep Mass Hysteria: Father talks a bit more about funerals & a caller Letters Letter regarding the contradiction between faith and works Listener can’t find a book of the bible in her mother&...

Rom 13:8-10 Is St. Paul un-American? Lk 14:25-33 What does it really mean to love our parents? Do we have to sell everything to follow Jesus? Mass Hysteria: Father talks more about Church architecture Letters: Can you baptize an aborted baby? Father answers another question about yoga Can I receive communion before confession? Word of the Day: Called Callers: My son and fiancé living together.  Wh...

Wis 3:1-9 Father tells a story of a goldsmith Rom 6:3-9 What does it mean when we give our lives to Christ? PS  23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Father talks about a controversial section of the passage Mass Hysteria: Letter about the physical structure of Churches Letters: Did Jesus reject the teachings of his fellow Jews about heaven and hell? Do Jews believe in reincarnation? Word of the day: Visitation Cal...

Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 Father explains the mystery of the book of Revelation 1 Jn 3:1-3 What does it mean to be pure of heart? Mt 5:1-12a Father explains what it means to bless God Mass Hysteria: Why do we have the bells at mass? Letters: Father talks about looking up at the people during mass Letter about the orans  position at mass Word of the day: Halo Callers: Question about John 19:14 and about Jesus...

Rom 9:1-5 Why are there are rules changed in the Church? What does Isaac represent for Christians? Lk 14:1-6 What is dropsy and Pharisee-ism? Father explains Mass Hysteria: Father goes through the lyrics of the song The Anthem Letters: Question about the sons of Zebedee in the throne of glory Word of the day: Misse Callers Caller asks Father about the nature of papal infallibility Question about t...

Eph 2:19-22 Father talks about inclusive meaning of the term family in the ancient world Lk 6:12-16 What’s the greatest reality in the life of the Father? Where there 3 James’ or 2 in the New Testament? Mass Hysteria: Father listens to a selection from a polka Mass and talks about true worship Letters: Father reads a letter asking about the laws of Moses Word of the day: Kill Callers:...

Rom 8:26-30 : Father talks about God’s purpose for us What is the biblical sense of glory? What does the redemption of our bodies mean? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about liturgical practices other than mass Letters: Caller’s brother assists at Byzantine Divine Liturgy and asks if singing was thrust on Roman Liturgy Listener who is converting to Catholicism asks for help defending the C...

Rom 8:18-25 What does St. Paul and entropy have to do with each other? What is our eternal destiny? Mass Hysteria:  Father talks about the true nature of funerals Letters: Father talks about getting to know one’s pastor at a parish Caller writes about the Filioque clause–did the Church add it to the creed? Word of the Day: Futility Callers: Why do we call him St. Michael the archangel?...

Rom 8:12-17 What is natural law? Lk 13:10-17 Who does Luke blame for the woman’s infirmity? Mass Hysteria:  Will the song I’m listening to stand the test of time? Letters Letter about the offertory prayers; Father talks about addressing God at mass Listener disagrees with Father about the cantor volume at mass Word of the day: Flesh Callers: Caller asks about St. Paul’s comments...

Rom 7:18-25a Why did Paul go West? Father explains What’s so fascinating about Paul’s cultural life? Lk 12:54-59 What is human idolatry? Mass Hysteria: Father reads a letter about languages at mass Letters Letter about Della Reese and Mahlia Jackson My daughter did Yoga at gym class–is that OK? Word on Fire: Orthodoxy Callers: Could you recommend a good book about Mary?  I’...

Rom 6:19-23 What does it mean that Romans went from lawlessness to lawlessness? Lk 12:49-53 What does the word baptism actually mean? Mass Hysteria: Father explains why his approach to mass isn’t grim Letters: Letter about the 9th commandment; Father relates the question to St. Irenaeus Listener asks a question about being open to life after infertility Letter disagrees with Father about can...

Rom 6:12-18 Father goes into detail about the Talmud because he thinks the letter to the Romans is Talmudic Lk 12:39-48 Who is the wise servant, how are we saved, and who is the thief? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about masses that are more about the priest than the Father Letters: Question about handholding at mass Letter about those who badmouth the Blessed Mother–is it sinful? Word of the...

Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 Father thinks this first reading is really complicated; he explains why that is, and what’s really going on in The Letter to the Romans Mass Hysteria Father talks about the nature of the devil, evil, and the liturgical calendar Letters Father follows up with a caller who talked about Catholics advising Kennedy to legalize abortion Father talks about the divine an...

2 Tm 4:10-17b Father describes why this text from Paul is so poignant as well as why Paul might ask for papyrus rolls. Lk 10:1-9 What does Jesus mean by “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” Mass Hysteria Father plays a clip from Screwtape Letter’ s about the danger of ‘the same old thing’ Letters: Listener writes in about Church music Question about Jesus naming re-nami...

Lk 11:47-54 Father talks about fatal accommodation, and the problems with modern biblical scholarship Mass Hysteria: will Moon River bring young people to Mass? Why isn’t Mass an expression of who I am? Letters What the difference between apostle and prophets Father talks about sacrifice, ecumenism, and mass Father responds to a letter about Jonah Word of the Day: Apostle Callers: When we re...

Rom 2:1-11 Why does Paul write, “the Jew first, and then the Greek?” Lk 11:42-46 Father explains what rue is from today’s Gospel, describes what the Pharisees were up to, and explains proper piety Mass Hysteria: Jesus always goes for quality over quantity Letters: Are all bugs forbidden to eat under kosher law? why do we only emphasize St. Francis’ love of creation? Are the...