Synopsis
Father Simon Says is your daily bible study hosted by Father Richard Simon, who jokingly refers to himself as Reverend Know-it-All.
Episodes
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Known by Joy - Father Simon Says - June 25, 2025
25/06/2025 Duration: 51minBible Study: Matthew 7:15-20 We think we can judge a person by miracles. Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 What’s the difference between a covenant and contract? Break 1 Father talks about the grammar of Old Testament Hebrew. Letters: Why is liberation theology wrong? What is the royal nature of God? Father answer this and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevatradio.com Break 2 Word of the Day I Phones: Mark – What language was the gospel written in originally and what does Jesus mean when he says love your neighbor as yourself? Tom - In Romans chapter 4, Paul makes a point in Abraham was justified before he did anything except to just accept what God says. You say works and believing are the same but does Paul allude to something else? Mark - The cynical were the apostles received the holy spirit was that the same room were the last supper took place. Kathrine - I am afraid that when I stand before God I’m afraid that God will reject me.
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The True Heart of David - Father Simon Says - June 24, 2025
24/06/2025 Duration: 51min(6:41) Bible Study: Isaiah 49:1-6 How Can David be a man after God’s own heart? Father Explains. (19:49) Break 1 (20:29) Letters: Father talks about the importance of the Church and the communion of saints at Mass. Can you play audio bible while you sleep? Father talks about these and other topics. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (32:58) Break 2 (33:51) Word of the Day Born (36:51) Phones: Hannah - CALLER BACK FROM YESTERDAY- I asked about psalms 103 verse 10. I was telling him about my cousin who was abandoned. When I read that scripture how does this relate to someone who has abandoned their family? Michael - Why does the priest incense the people during certain times of the mass? Sue - What is the difference between offering up a mass personally for my intensions vs. having one said by the church? AND is it alright if I ask Mother Mary to bring my communion to those in heaven after I have received it? Judith - May you elaborate on how we should pray to God? I understan
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LORD - Father Simon Says - June 23, 2025
23/06/2025 Duration: 51min(4:10) Bible Study: Genesis 12:1-9 Father explains the importance of the sacred name of God and why it matters to us? Matthew 7:1-5 What does it mean to stop judging less we be judged? (22:06) Break 1 (22:54) Letters: What should you give a diocesan priest for a gift? Father discusses slavery and other topics. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:14) Break 2 (34:48) Word of the Day Abraham (37:16) Phones: Billy - my brother in law converted to Islam. how do we deal with this? Especially about dietary changes. Brian - I'm writing a paper about how the Catholic Church is the same before Constantine. What arguments are there? Judy - How to deal w/a friend who has chosen to do a Medically assisted death? Anna - I was reading Psalm 103:10, could you explain?
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Head of Household - Father Simon Says - June 20, 2025
20/06/2025 Duration: 51min(3:18) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30 How do you know if a minister is of God or not? Matthew 6:19-23 How do you keep the light of Christ in your life? (18:00) Break 1 Father talks about the biblical idea of using Chapel Vails. (38:20) Break 2 (40:28) Word of the Day Super Apostles (42:27) Phones: John - there have been some controversial Cyril of Alexandria Allyson - other faiths don’t use an alter because the of the once a sacrifice always a sacrifice statement. how does one respond to that?
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Our Father - Father Simon Says - June 19, 2025
19/06/2025 Duration: 51min(4:38) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11 Why did Saint Paul have to learn a trade? Matthew 6:7-15 What does it mean to not babble like the pagans when you pray? (20:56) Break 1 (23:06) Letters: Why do we need an alter in order to offer sacrifice of the Mass? What does it mean Jesus’ sacrifice was made once for all? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (36:23) Break 2 (37:14) Word of the Day Chaste (40:43) Phones: Ellen - Why is St. Joseph Foster Father and Adoptive Father? Sandy - My son was born on the feast of St. Romuald and became a Camaldolese monk. What do you think about that Father? Julianne - Interpretation of the 1 Corinthians 11: 4-17about women being veiled? Could you explain?
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Righteousness - Father Simon Says - June 18, 2025
18/06/2025 Duration: 51min(4:04) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 What Is righteousness? – father explains Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 What does it mean that Jesus always does what is pleasing to the Father? (23:21) Break 1 (24:27) Letters: Father talks about the feeding of the five thousand, Father talks also about blessing of houses. Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (38:36) Break 2 (40:24) Word of the Day Trumpet (42:19) Phones: Kathy - we are trying to get to know our priest. seems standoffish. scrutinizes people who come to parish. criticizes how people dress. Brian- when Christ rose from the dead didn’t he bless Apostles with Holy Spirit? I am confused
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God Works With Us - Father Simon Says - June 17, 2025
17/06/2025 Duration: 51min(6:16) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 Paul didn’t want money, he wanted souls. Matthew 5:43-48 What does it mean that we should pray for those who persecute us? (22:33) Break 1 (23:31) Letters: Father answers some difficult questions during this letter segment. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:23) Break 2 (36:44) Word of the Day Tunic and your cloak (40:36) Phones: Kelly - my husband is investigating Catholic Church and compares it to Eastern Orthodox. why do they not use wine with Eucharist? Dan - In Isaiah. it mentions the day of Midian. what does this phrase mean? Therese - indulgences. once you know you have received indulgence, how do you ask the Lord to be able to use that indulgence?
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Modest Dress - Father Simon Says - June 16, 2025
16/06/2025 Duration: 51min(5:40) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Father explains the context of this passage. (24:02) Break 1 (25:07) Letters: What is the way to count days and nights in Jewish thought? What is the best way to dress modestly as a Catholic woman? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (38:03) Break 2 (42:16) Word of the Day Abrogation (44:56) Phones: Dylan - Can you explain salvation and how the Eucharist ties into it? Scott - I need clarification on something from the bible in a year. in the old testament, when they had the ark of the covenant they used a tent to cover it. were any people other than the priest who could go in? Steve - 15 years ago there was a tv show called God, the devil and Bob.
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Clay Pots - Father Simon Says - June 13, 2025
13/06/2025 Duration: 51min(4:05) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Father explains how we are like clay pots Matthew 5:27-32 What is Jesus speaking about with looking at a woman with lust? (19:18) Break 1 (21:43) Letters: Father explains some new words in the in Yiddish. Father talks about the importance of adoration in doing what God wants you to do. How can you use the lectionary to find the daily readings? Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:49)Break 2 (35:32) Word of the Day Clay vessels (38:38) Phones: Glen - Was Judas in mortal sin at the last supper? Chris - father said that veiling is sacred. there is an old saying that goes 'she veils because she is the glory of man while the men do not because they are the glory of God.' women need to start veiling again. it goes back to the old testament Lisa - I heard that the holy water from Lourdes is not holy water but its miraculous water. It isn’t holy water unless its blessed Caden - is it ok to stay at my grandparents’ house when my gra
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Veils - Father Simon Says - June 12, 2025
12/06/2025 Duration: 51min(3:55) Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 3:15 - 4:1, 3-6 What is the hidden letter to the Corinthians? Father explains (21:58) Break 1 Father expounds on the meaning of the Veil. (27:24) Letters: Who was the woman well known among the apostles? When is a lay person permitted to open the tabernacle? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:07) Break 2 (35:40) Word of the Day Father shares three words of the day today? (37:49) Phones: Ken - question about Paul: I believe Paul had a near death experience and went to heaven. Ken - I love you Father Simon and appreciate you coming on every day. Father Simon needs to hear it from his listeners Carlos - there were people giving communion to out to patients in hospital without asking if they were catholic. is that right? John - when exactly did Thomas receive the holy spirit? Rocco - in the past as early Christians did they take the Eucharist home for the week after mass? Jan - can you recommend any re
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The Early Church - Father Simon Says - June 11, 2025
11/06/2025 Duration: 51min(7:23) Bible Study: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 The church has been structured from the beginning. Matthew 5:17-19 What does the word break mean in this reading? (19:57) Break 1 (21:06) Letters: Is stoicism in opposition to Catholicism? Where does the word lord come from and what is the origins of the word belief? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:42) Break 2 (36:04) Word of the Day Jot or tittle (38:07) Phones: Leah - What does the Catholic church teach about having a biological child but then giving it up for adoption to a friend? Dan - Protestant chaplain asking if he could combine services with a catholic chaplain. Kris - difference between apostles and disciples? Dana - What do you think about dramatizing readings during church?
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Salt of the Earth - Father Simon Says - June 10, 2025
10/06/2025 Duration: 51min(5:03) Study: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 How did the bible come about? Matthew 5:13-16 What does it mean to be salt of the earth? (22:16) Break 1 (24:23) Letters: Can you attend the wedding of non-Catholics? What is the best vocation? Why was Solomon considered good and wise? Father explains these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:59) Break 2 (35:40) Word of the Day Down Payment (39:01) Phones: Gerard - Fr. has mentioned that the words faith and belief really mean 'trust'. Is that reflected in the Creed? Deanne - Question about mass: when the bell rings during consecration why do some people beat there chest three times. Pat - where is Corinth? Diana - what is considered exorcised holy water? is salt exorcised by priest blessing or does it need special blessing? Nora - How did St. john end up in Crete before he died there.
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Who Guards the Heart? - Father Simon Says - June 9, 2025
09/06/2025 Duration: 51min(4:39) Bible Study: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Men and women are meant to protect and care for each other. (19:31) Break 1 (22:50) Letters: What is the difference between a vow and a promise when it comes to vocational discernment? What is the problem with trying to make Christianity more contemporary? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:28) Break 2 (35:17) Word of the Day Posca (37:33) Phones: John - In the romans it says 'nothing shall separate us from the love of God' some translations say 'of God' some say 'from God'. Can Fr. explain the difference in translations? Sally - how is the liturgy of the hours composed. Does it change year to year? Who puts it together? Lou - When did the sacrament of ordination get instituted. was it at the last supper? Thomas shares a letter from Sammy about the time frame of receiving communion after confession
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Don't Try to Win Praise - Father Simon Says - June 6, 2025
06/06/2025 Duration: 51min(3:55) Bible Study: Acts 25:13b-21 The dark politics going on around the Paul in the Acts of the Apostles. John 21:15-19 Father shares the deep meaning of love in this passage. (23:49) Break 1 Letters: (26:56) Don’t try to win praise. A listener writes in and asks what it means that Jesus descended into hell? (39:27) Break 2 (41:10) Word of the Day Religion (42:37) Phones: Sebastian - Explain why in the OT why did animals as well as humans have war sackcloth and ash? Jackie - I think the problem with the Catholic church is that if you have a lot of money you can get an annulment. Could you address sketchy annulments? Elijah - What's the tradition behind confirmation St. names.
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Month of the Sacred Heart - Father Simon Says - June 5, 2025
05/06/2025 Duration: 51min(5:28) Bible Study: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Why was Paul trying to be a good Jew? (21:22) Break 1 (27:34) Letters: Father explains the perseverance of the Saints and how it relates with the sacrament of penance. Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:56) Break 2 (36:26) Word of the Day Mission (44:56) Phones: Vee - I'm a non-Catholic; How do you view non Catholic Christians salvation? Bob - Pentecost Sunday 'Receive the Holy Spirit' and 'Sins you retain'. Since Pentecost is the reconnection of the Holy Spirit, don't we need Sacrament of Confession to regain the Holy Spirit.
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Inspired Scripture - Father Simon Says - June 4, 2025
04/06/2025 Duration: 51min(2:27) Bible Study: Acts 20:28-38 Who is the Holy Spirit? Father explains. (23:08) Break 1 (24:22) Letters: What is involved in a blessing of a house? What is the Shekinah and how does it relate with the shroud of Turin? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:27) Break 2 (35:05) Word of the Day Consecrated in truth (42:52) Phones: Regina - Was St. Joseph baptized? By whom and where? Juan - why should we pray to Mary if Jesus died on the cross? Margaret - how do you determine what is inspired by the holy spirit in reference to the canon? Martha - my brother just left the catholic church. His son is getting married to a Jewish Christian. Should I attend the service as a catholic?
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Paul's Preaching - Father Simon Says - June 3, 2025
03/06/2025 Duration: 51min(5:08) Bible Study: Acts 20:17-27 Father shares the background of this passage. John 17:1-11a What does Jesus mean in this passage? Father explains (22:42) Break 1 (24:23) Letters: Why can’t nuns go to funerals? What does it take to be guilty of presumption? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (31:39) Break 2 (32:24) Word of the Day Penetrating (38:24) Phones: John - question about the lectionary number. does the number on the USCCB website correspond with the volumes at the church? (today is # 298) Melissa - if two baptized people, one a catholic on not, get married outside the church why does the marriage need to get blessed if its considered sacramental already. David - do you see a connection between the second creation account and the resurrection story. Chris - why does the church allow for so many exceptions to rules of the church so that it seems like a new norm rather than an exception.
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Does The Pope Have To Take A New Name ? - Father Simon Says - June 2, 2025
02/06/2025 Duration: 51minBible Study: (2:56) Acts 19:1 – Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria from Ephesus who had been baptized with the baptism of John and had not received the Holy Spirit. He ends up being a very important member of the Church. John baptized with a baptism of repentance and that is what we see in the Gospel of John. John the Baptist is constantly saying in the Gospel of John that he is not the Messiah. Break 1 Letters: (25:05) David – Has a question about Evangelism and introducing someone to prayer. (31:04) Jim – Does each cardinal consider a name he would choose as Pope just in case? (33:30) Does the Pope have to take a new name? (38:57) – Why are you down on people calling themselves “pet parents”. Break 2 (38:57) Word Of the Day – Take Courage Phones: (41:15) Roy - Does the Catholic Church believe in speaking in tongues. (44:11) Anne - It takes away the dignity of human life to use 'pet mom'. (48:09)
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Plenary Indulgences Explained - Father Simon Says - May 30, 2025
30/05/2025 Duration: 51min(5:22) Bible Study: Acts 18:9-18 God picks the wrong person for the job? (18:16) Break 1 (20:07) Letters: Father answers a question about the Cistercian witnesses and explains the origin of the Sistine Chapel, Father talks about these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.cm (35:47) Break 2 (38:28) Word of the Day Vow (40:28) Phones: John - why is Elijah conserved a minor prophet instead of a major prophet? Rosemarie - Plenary Indulgence. Site of Plenary Indulgence. if I go there what do I do? how does indulgence work? Greg - we can go to Communion when we have venial sin. how can Jesus say we can receive him from venial sin yet at end of life we still have to go to Purgatory?
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God Picks the Unlikely - Father Simon Says - May 29, 2025
29/05/2025 Duration: 51min(3:45) Bible Study: Acts 18:1-8 Father explains the time line of the Acts of the Apostles. John 16:16-20 What does Jesus mean in this passage? Father explains. (21:09) Break 1 (21:49) Letters: How do pets fit into salvation? What are plenary indulgences? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:29) Break 2 (36:18) Word of the Day Worship (38:39) Phones: Kim - my son and I talking about Pope Leo. when did Cardinals begin changing their names when they became Pope and why? Sr. Maria Francesca - do we know the history of the Te Deum? where does this come from? Noah - struggling with trusting God's Divine Will for me. how do I put my life in His hands? Dolores - today is Ascension but deferred to Sunday. does that mean today is just a regular day? Pam - question about Holy Spirit. saying Pope Francis was going to change date of Easter to coincide with Eastern Orthodox. I thought Eastern Orthodox didn’t believe in Filioque. I am confused