Father Simon Says

Is 41:13-20 What is the thrashing of grain? Mt 11:11-15 How can we be greater than John the Baptist? Mass Hysteria: Father talks more about Cardinal Francis George and the liturgy Letters: Question about religious art Why does the Eastern church make the sign of the cross differently Father reads a letter about the origins of liturgical abuse Father tells a story about a young boy who talks about the invisibility of God Word of the Day:  Myrtle tree Letters: What is  the Apostolic Pardon and does the priest always give it during the Last Rites? Does a solemnity last 7 days? If God made Jesus and Mary, who made God?

Gn 3:9-15, 20 Fr. Simon on the Fall from Grace w/Adam and Eve Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 Jesus invites us to allow him to transform us The Church has a bride Fr. Simon talks about the Immaculate Conception and it’s significance Fr. Simon talks about multi-heavens Mass Hysteria: The Mass is a Sacrifice and the purpose of life is sacrificial Letters: Question about missing mass on a Holy Day of Obligation and difference between countries Question about making jewelry using ashes Book recommendation on the Book of Relevation Word of the Day: Eve Callers: Should I attend a memorial where the ashes are being scattered What is the difference b/w forgiveness of sin and absolution Caller shared that her late husband was a fan of Fr. Simon

Is 40:1-11 Fr. Simon describes this reading as very beautiful Preparation for the coming of the Lord Mt 18:12-14 Father talks about why there’s rejoicing after finding that singular lost sheep You could always come back home to the Church Mass Hysteria: The reason our civilization is in chaos is because of liturgical abuse and abandoning the idea of sacrifice Letters: Father talks about a letter responding to a caller who’s husband had a porn addiction Question about the Shroud of Turin Question about Green Burials Word of the Day: Comfort Callers: Should I attend a wedding where someone is Jewish Question about doing English mass Ad Orientem Question about distributing communion during mass and disagreeing with my parish priest about this

Coal at 04:00 Lk 5:17-26 The Pharisees didn’t know what to make of Jesus, why? Father also talks about the significance of Jesus’ miracles Mass Hysteria: Father talks about an experience at a Byzantine Church and the significance of beauty Letters: Father suggests a website with a Catholic liturgical calendar What is an indulgence? Word of the Day: Papyrus Callers: How should I understand my spouse’s pornography’s addiction What if I don’t fulfill my penance from confession before I go back to mass on Wednesday Dec. 8th. Could I still receive communion? I was reading the Epic of Gilgamesh which mentioned the flood. Was the flood in Genesis written before Gilgamesh or after?    

Is 29:17-24 Father discusses Judaism and the Messiah Mass Hysteria: Father talks about mass tones Letters: Is there a liturgical calendar for android? How can you be persecuted without a hair of your head destroyed? Word of the day: Sternly Callers: Why is the Muslim God a God of Might? Question about the St. Andrew Novena and what happens if I forgot to say yesterday. In Acts 23:21, the Jews swore a vow that they’ll kill Paul.  What happened to that vow and to them? Good book or resource that explains the mass more and why no more communion rails? Is it permissible to ask the priest if the penance he gives is too hard and you want a different one?

Is 26:1-6 What is the righteousness of God? Mt 7:21, 24-27 Father talks about this passage in the context of Protestant and Catholic theology What happens if we have a religion of convenience? Mass Hysteria: Father continues the theme of choir lofts! Letters: Question about Catholic high school–we’ve lived in different cities, and all of them trained for college, not for vocational training. Why was Jesus buried in a cave and not in the ground? My Catholic nephew is marrying in the Ethiopian Church How can I dispose of broken rosaries? Word: Ptosis Callers: How do you know when you’ve done enough to be right with God? Why didn’t people listen to Simian if he knew who the savior was? Why does the priest bows low when he says the words of consecration?

Is 25:6-10a Father talks about his trip to the Holy Land Mt 15:29-37 Why did the crowds come to Jesus? Father talks about what the prayer of the believer is. Mass Hysteria: Father answers a question about what the choir loft is Letters: Father clarifies comments on Anglican Catholic Church What is remitted temporal punishment? Word of the Day: Juicy Callers: A  old friend of Father’s calls in Does Fr. Simon know the poem ‘A Priest’ by Lacordaire on the priesthood? In today’s readings, Immanuel spelled w/an ‘I’ and another place, it’s spelled w/an ‘E’, what’s the difference? Is the penitential rite at beginning of mass, the ‘I Confess to almighty God…’ a form of confession?

Rom 10:9-18 Father thinks we need to look at the Jewish liturgy to understand this passage. Why? Father explains. Mass Hysteria: Father talks about why we use bread at mass Letters: Father discusses the differences between High Mass and Low Mass in the extraordinary form. Father discusses the merits of the saints Letter asking about the ‘Anglican Catholic Church’ Word of the day: Hired men Letters: I like the show, and he’s great.  However, when you say, ‘it’s just my opinion’, you’re minimize it, and it’s really the teaching of the Church. When I pray for the Guardian Angels for my kids, should I pray to their Guardian Angel as well? My children have left the Church; what should I do?

Is 2:1-5 Father shares his theory of David and Israel Mt 8:5-11 What’s significant about a centurion humbling himself before a Jewish rabbi? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about a priest who cleared out the altar in a church and set up tables for a Thanksgiving dinner. Letters Father responds to a letter about incense at mass Letter who writes about male virginity in the context of Catholic teaching Letter who writes about Hillsong church. Father talks about the movie, The Apostle A choir member writes in about the placement of the choir during mass Dan writes in about the differences between faith and hope Word of the Day: Amazing Callers: Wedding Feast of Cana why did Jesus reveal himself to the waiter? The Roman Centurion in today’s Gospel, could it have been St. Longanius, the one who pierced Christ’s side? I’ve seen people kneeling and standing for communion; what are you thoughts about that?

1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59 Father explains that this section of the book of Maccabees is about Hanukah Lk 19:45-48 Father connects this Gospel with the Maccabees Mass Hysteria: Father tells two liturgical experiences Letters: Tim has a question about purgatory and indulgences Father talks about the nature of superstition Word of the Day: House Callers What are the required days for fasting and required days for Abstinence? The ‘Weight of Revelation’ is a saying from Hildebrand, and does Fr. Simon recognize that or does he know about Hildebrand? is is possible for a loved one from purgatory to communicate with us here?

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 agnostic son who struggles with the Genesis story

Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 Father explains what it means to use the things of God for ourselves Lk 21:12-19 Father talks about Fulton Sheen’s preaching Mass Hysteria: Father talks about singing in the early Church Letters: Question about the devil and hell What is Hislev? Word of the Day: Defense Callers: Why is it easier to get the attention of a demon as opposed to getting the attention of an angel? He referenced ‘Palisade’ and that it meant ‘Wall of Sticks’.  what language was that being translated from What could be done about the house I bought, were previously someone killed themselves in the garbage? About today’s reading from Daniel? Reference to sacred vessels and has a question about those vessels What is the significance of promoting St. Cecilia as a virgin?

Dn 2:31-45 Father admits understanding Daniel’s prophecy is difficult and gives an account of what prophecies are. Lk 21:5-11 Father talks about the Lord appearing in glory Mass Hysteria: Father talks about coffee table mass Letters: Question about saints and self-mutilation Father cautions against drive by communion services Word of the Day: Name Callers: I’m a music director at a parish and I think back in the early church, they sang songs and sang psalms.  I agree with him on some things regarding music and disagree w/others What do you think about bringing a cell phone inside the confessional? Why medication given from the pharmacy is good, when the Bible says to avoid the pharmakia?

Dn 1:1-6, 8-20 Father dissects the plethora of names in today’s first reading and why we fast Lk 21:1-4 Father shares stories of trusting in God during times of financial need Mass Hysteria: Father talks about the funeral he celebrated over the weekend Letters: Letter asking why Jesus says “why do you call me good?” Father discusses the similarities between Judaism and Catholicism Word of the Day: Lepton Caller: ‘Do not cling on to me’.  That was said to Mary Magdalene after he rose. What did he mean by that? Who does Fr. Simon think are the greatest Catholic mystics?  And could you explain mysticism? Caller has a comment about young people and the liturgy Question about Nebuchadnezzar:  What does he think about it as a name for a baby? Question about the use of chalices during mass

1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59 Father explains that this section of the book of Maccabees is about Hanukah Lk 19:45-48 Father connects this Gospel with the Maccabees Mass Hysteria: Father tells two liturgical experiences Letters: Tim has a question about purgatory and indulgences Father talks about the nature of superstition Word of the Day: House Callers What are the required days for fasting and required days for Abstinence? The ‘Weight of Revelation’ is a saying from Hildebrand, and does Fr. Simon recognize that or does he know about Hildebrand? is is possible for a loved one from purgatory to communicate with us here?

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 Communion? Our pastor just announced he’s going to have drive through communion, for those scared of going inside.  What does Fr. Simon think?

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 mass Do we give God permission when we pray? Word of the Day: Harsh Callers: I’m a convert to the Church.  From a Baptist.  If the church is the true church which I believe, why aren’t protestants flocking to the Church The high priest tore garments from bottom up, symbolizing Satan.  When the temple torn from top, God said no, ‘you have blasphemed me’. Can Father explain? What is Father’s vision of time in heaven?

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 Should I stay married if my husband has a decades-long sentence for murder Word of the day: AS Callers: How do I talk to my pastor, for better music in my parish? Gospel Reading from Sunday on ‘No one knows the day or the hour except for the Father.’ Need clarification.

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 Catholics have to be buried in the ground?

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 Jesus and the fulfillment of Jewish law