Father Simon Says

(4:01) Bible Study: Isaiah 58:1-9a – While it may seem like a condemnation of fasting, this is not so as Jesus himself fasted. Taking up your cross and denying yourself means saying no to yourself. Freedom is the ability to do the right thing and that is the point of fasting, to be free and exercise freedom. Matthew 9:14-15 – If your fasting makes you quarrelsome and difficult don’t bother with it. If your fasting gives you the freedom to be charitable that is good. Jesus talks about being the Bridegroom. (17:30) Break 1 (18:14) Letters: Were there actually angels who had relations with humans? The word “Nephilim” means “fallen ones”. Daryl - I was wondering about the DaVinci Code and wanted to know if Mary Magdalene the wife of Jesus? There is no history in the DaVinci Code. Did Judas conspire with Jesus to have him crucified? No, that is nonsense. Be careful what you name your kids and don’t name your kids “Judas”. (33:47) Break 2 (34:51) Word of the Day: Sacrament (40:59) Phones: Ed - How many times a day could I receive the Eucharist? Gerard - About the Eucharist, in the Passion 2000 years ago, basically Jesus surrendered himself.   Does Jesus do the same thing at Mass.  Could you clarify? Jane - In the Jubilee Year, what is the deal with indulgence? can you obtain one for yourself and another? Nancy - Organizing a confirmation retreat, any advice on how to explain the sacrament to teens?

(4:04) Bible Study: Matthew 4:17 Father talks about the meaning of the word repent and gives some tips on it. Luke 9:22-25 What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? (20:42) Break 1 (25:19) Letters: Why would a priest change the names of the saints mentioned during the Mass prayers? Why do we put ashes on our heads on Ash Wednesday? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:15) Break 2 (34:56) Word of the Day: Soul (38:30) Phones: Jessica - Is it okay to hug a priest.  My son gave him a hug and his brother saw that, and was wondering if it's okay.  Worried about gyms? Jim - Could you explain Filial Love? Barbara - Whether you wash ashes off forehead.  A priest told me 30 years ago, and if you're proud of it, wash it off.  If you're ashamed of it, keep it on. Sebastian - Non Catholics use the King James Bible and speak in old-fashioned terms and there's a disconnect, and there's a translation gap.  What do you think about that.  Like words used 'righteous' Yvonne - When we do our offerings at mass, during the offertory or could we put it before mass?

(3:00) Bible Study: Joel 2:12-18 Father talks about trumpets which were used for more than just playing music. 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Father explains what an elder is and why they are important. Father also talks about repentance. (22:26) Break 1 (23:30) Letters: Are TVs in church okay to have? How is the Son of Man used in different places of the bible? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:36) Break 2 (36:39) Word of the Day: Lent (37:30) Phones: Robert - I'm a recovering alcoholic, and I seem to want to speak to God more when I drink more.   If it's wrong to do that?   Is it the booze speaking?   I feel like I'm more into God when I'm drinking. Andrew - I seem to remember seeing a rubric that explained when screens are being used during mass. Diane - I have a way that the cameras would be good, and if the cameras were pointing at the people and the televisions were pointing at Jesus and Jesus would see everyone in living color. Joseph - Been trying to call Knights of Columbus, but they haven't really been good help as I'm trying to find a way to get to mass.  What to do? Alex - I have a 16-year-old who's attending a non-Catholic Church, what's the best way to approach conversation.

(3:35) Bible Study: Sirach 35:1-12 Father talks about sacrifice and its connection with the liturgy of the hours. Mark 10:28-31 Father talks about fasting and where it comes from (24:39) Break 1 (25:42) Letters: Why should we fast for a particular intention? Are there certain things that open up portals of evil? Are scapulars superstitious? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:43) Break 2 (36:08) Word of the Day: 7 fold (37:27) Phones: Norma - If we give up sweets, does that mean we cannot have cake on a birthday during Lent. It is a child's birthday. John - Nowadays it seems many movies are taking the name of God in vain, should I continue watching those movies? Joe - Right after the consecration, we pray to the Blessed mother and her spouse, St. Joseph. Why does the church call her spouse and not husband? Renzo - It is my little sister birthday tomorrow... what can I give my sister that is related with Ash Wednesday/start of Lent?

(3:08) Bible Study: Sirach 17:20-24 Should everything in the Bible been seen as moral? Mark 10:17-27 Should we give up all of our treasure? Father explains.  Luke 6:39-45 Father talks about the humor of this reading. (18:54) Break 1 (19:40) Letters: Father helps a listener who is considering moving in with his girlfriend but with a strange twist, the parents want them to move in together. Can you go to heaven if you are Baptist? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (38:31) Break 2 (40:00) Word of the Day: Camel (42:13) Phones: Sue – Question for Fr. Simon. 'Ashes to Ashes' song. last verse says Christ became 'sin' I don't get this. Frank - what do you think of communion in the hand vs receiving on the tongue? Judy - hard to give up wealth can this reading relate to us giving up other things in our life

(4:02) Bible Study: Sirach 6:5-17 Father discusses the multiple meanings of love. And the meaning of friendship Mark 10:1-12 This gospel reading is often misunderstood, and Father explains the correct understanding. (21:40) Break 1 (22:58) Letters: How do you deal with people mocking you for your faith? How can you describe the afterlife? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:55) Break 2 (36:32) Word of the Day: Confidant (38:21) Phones: Gloria - can I receive Communion any time after I arrive during Mass? Roger - been praying for years for daughters to come back to Church. my grandson has a lot of interest in Church. how does God the Father command not to kill but allows killing and even commands people to kill. Joan - Romans 8:26-28. how does the Trinity work in this passage?

(4:40) Bible Study: Sirarch 5:1-8 You are special in God’s eyes, the only eyes that matter. Mark 9:41-50 What is salt? Father explains its hidden meaning (21:11) Break 1 (22:48) Letters: Are the Deuterocanonical books inspired? How does marriage represent the Trinity? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (33:44) Break 2 (34:22) Word of the Day: Little ones (38:41) Phones: Steve - At a wake, sometimes I'll hear Catholic people say, 'that's not Mom's body, that's a shell.'  What does he think about that. Lauren - I heard someone say Jesus called them three times to join him, upon their passing.  Has heard that before? Pat- Could you explain when you said, 'Babies are burnt alive.' He said this about 10 minutes ago. Theresa - In the OT, when Israelites started to worship false Gods, like Baal and Molech, what where those false Gods.  Where they manmade objects, demons, something else. Kevin - Who would the apostles confess to, after Jesus died?

(2:52) Bible Study: Sirach Sirach 4:11-19 Was wisdom actually Jesus? Mark 9:38-40. Some of us never get over being young. Let us not get in the way of Christ as believers, disciples and members in the Church. (22:05) Break 1 (24:19) Letters: Is it okay to practice Tai Chi? What is he answer to the white horse in revelation? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:31) Break 2 (35:15) Word of the Day: Over and Under (36:18) Phones: Millie - The gospel of Mark this morning: When the people were talking about Jesus, he said don't chastise them. The priest at Mass quoted from the book of numbers that Moses was chastising his followers. What's the implication for us as Catholics? Mark - Can you explain the 'Fear of the Lord' - Gift of the Holy Spirit? Zoraya - Can you explain the term 'Nephilim' in the book of Genesis? Rocco - When I was taking Tai Chi, I felt like it was the Holy Spirit working through me. What do you think about this?

(4:58) Bible Study: Sirach 2:1-11 God wants to reveal with what's inside you.   Mark 9:30-37 The Apostles should've argued amongst themselves who is the least important.     (22:49) Break 1 (25:25) Letters: What does it mean , "Falling Short of the Glory of God"? How did people know how much to give for a sin offering?  Question about prayers said after communion, including "O Sacrament Most Holy.  Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (33:56) Break 2 (35:07) Word of the Day: Ligare (42:17) Phones: Roberto: the thief on the cross. was not baptized. how can he be saved? Carl-what does the First Horseman in Revelation represent?

(3:03) Bible Study: Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge.   Jesus casts out demons because he had authority.  Sirach 1:1-10 Mark 9:14-29 (22:22) Break 1 (24:01) Letters: Can you still bring dinner to the priests on Sunday? Question about turning the other cheek in regards to domestic abuse? Why did the NAB translation remove fasting from Jesus' statements?  What does it mean when I offer up my suffering?  (38:31) Break 2 (39:47) Word of the Day: Ligare (44:36) Phones: Kevin-confused about St. Faustina comment about angel hovering over Krakow.  Didn't St. Faustina die before WWII Teresa-Could we go to 2 Masses in a day?