On Father Simon Says, a listener named Neil writes in about the Trinity, sharing a preacher’s clever line: as water can be solid, liquid, or gas, so one God can be three Persons. Fr. Richard Simon isn’t convinced. He says that image sounds like Sabellianism, the old idea that God is one divine substance who simply shows up in different “modes” as Father, Son, or Holy Spirit.

The problem, he explains, is that this makes the Trinity feel like costume changes instead of three persons in one, true, all-powerful God. In Sabellianism, there are no enduring divine Persons — only one God who seems to switch between Father, Son, and Spirit. But Fr. Simon insists that God is a genuine Trinity: three distinct Persons in one God, equal in divinity yet truly distinct. The Father loves the Son infinitely, the Son loves the Father infinitely, and that love is the Holy Spirit.

That’s why he links the filioque, the belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, to the perfect equality and unity within the Trinity. If the Spirit proceeded only from the Father or only from the Son, he argues, that relationship would be uneven. Instead, even when Jesus walked the earth, He was in constant dialogue with the Father and breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples. “This is not an easy thing for us to understand,” he admits, yet it flows from one claim: God is love, and real love means real Persons.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On Father Simon Says, a listener named Neil writes in about the Trinity, sharing a preacher&rsquo;s clever line: as water can be solid, liquid, or gas, so one God can be three Persons. Fr. Richard Simon isn&rsquo;t convinced. He says that image sounds like Sabellianism, the old idea that God is one divine substance who simply shows up in different &ldquo;modes&rdquo; as Father, Son, or Holy Spirit.
The problem, he explains, is that this makes the Trinity feel like costume changes instead of three persons in one, true, all-powerful God. In Sabellianism, there are no enduring divine Persons &mdash; only one God who seems to switch between Father, Son, and Spirit. But Fr. Simon insists that God is a genuine Trinity: three distinct Persons in one God, equal in divinity yet truly distinct. The Father loves the Son infinitely, the Son loves the Father infinitely, and that love is the Holy Spirit.
That&rsquo;s why he links the filioque, the belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, to the perfect equality and unity within the Trinity. If the Spirit proceeded only from the Father or only from the Son, he argues, that relationship would be uneven. Instead, even when Jesus walked the earth, He was in constant dialogue with the Father and breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples. &ldquo;This is not an easy thing for us to understand,&rdquo; he admits, yet it flows from one claim: God is love, and real love means real Persons.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

The Best of the Week

The Water Analogy for the Trinity and the Heresy of Sabellianism (Father Simon Says)

On Trending with Timmerie, Fr. Richard Hendrick, O.F.M. Cap., introduces the real St. Nicholas: a 4th‑century bishop of Myra in Turkey. As a young man he prayed with the Desert Fathers, and the Church honors him as a “thaumaturge,” a wonderworker whose life was, as Fr. Richard says, “suffused with miracles.”

Nicholas was born into a wealthy family around 270 A.D., but his riches were hidden acts of mercy. Hearing that three women were about to be sold into slavery because their father had no dowries, he slipped bags of gold to them by night. Another story tells of a butcher whose “pork” was really murdered Christian children; Nicholas prayed and blessed them, and the children were restored to life – which is why icons show him with a wooden barrel.

Over time, devotion to this miracle‑working bishop spread across the Christian world. In Holland, children put out shoes or stockings, trusting that “Sinterklaas” had visited with small gifts by morning. Dutch settlers carried that custom to America, where Sinterklaas became “Santa Claus” and his red‑and‑white look echoed the appearance of an Eastern bishop’s vestments.

As Timmerie sums up, St. Nicholas is not a myth but a saint who lives with Christ in Heaven and still powerfully intercedes for us – even as a patron of broadcasters. This year, when you see Santa everywhere, ask the real St. Nicholas to help you love the poor, defend the truth, and give generously and quietly for love of Jesus.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On Trending with Timmerie, Fr. Richard Hendrick, O.F.M. Cap., introduces the real St. Nicholas: a 4th‑century bishop of Myra in Turkey. As a young man he prayed with the Desert Fathers, and the Church honors him as a &ldquo;thaumaturge,&rdquo; a wonderworker whose life was, as Fr. Richard says, &ldquo;suffused with miracles.&rdquo;
Nicholas was born into a wealthy family around 270 A.D., but his riches were hidden acts of mercy. Hearing that three women were about to be sold into slavery because their father had no dowries, he slipped bags of gold to them by night. Another story tells of a butcher whose &ldquo;pork&rdquo; was really murdered Christian children; Nicholas prayed and blessed them, and the children were restored to life &ndash; which is why icons show him with a wooden barrel.
Over time, devotion to this miracle‑working bishop spread across the Christian world. In Holland, children put out shoes or stockings, trusting that &ldquo;Sinterklaas&rdquo; had visited with small gifts by morning. Dutch settlers carried that custom to America, where Sinterklaas became &ldquo;Santa Claus&rdquo; and his red‑and‑white look echoed the appearance of an Eastern bishop&rsquo;s vestments.
As Timmerie sums up, St. Nicholas is not a myth but a saint who lives with Christ in Heaven and still powerfully intercedes for us &ndash; even as a patron of broadcasters. This year, when you see Santa everywhere, ask the real St. Nicholas to help you love the poor, defend the truth, and give generously and quietly for love of Jesus.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Meet the Real St. Nicholas Behind Santa Claus (Trending with Timmerie)

On Marriage Unhindered, Dr. Alexandra Marcotte joined Doug Hinderer to discuss why couples fight and what it takes to rebuild trust in a marriage.

A listener named Julia called from Chicago with a marriage problem that's been eating at her: her desire to help others keeps colliding with her husband’s trust. For example, she had promised to stop driving a neighbor’s child to school after he raised concerns about lawsuits and safety, but she secretly kept doing it, then felt both guilty and proud that she was helping.

Over time, Julia sees the pattern: she stops helping one person, then finds another in need. Her husband, afraid that one car accident could bring a lawsuit, now wonders if small lies today could become bigger betrayals tomorrow. Julia fears divorce, yet feels torn every time she sees a child or family she could serve.

Doug sums it up as a trust issue: she told her husband she would stop, then didn’t. Dr. Marcotte gently identifies what has happened between Julia and her husband as more than a one-time "ouch". Repeated breaks have become an injury, leaving Julia’s husband wondering whether his voice matters and whether she will stay open-hearted with him when her impulse to help kicks in.

The path forward, Dr. Marcotte suggests, begins not with more arguments about liability, but with slowing down and getting curious. Julia can tell her husband, in Doug’s words, that he “married a woman with a very big heart” who wants to be both a good Christian neighbor and a good wife. Then, instead of defending herself, she can linger with his pain, listen to how this pattern has hurt him, and work with him to find a middle ground where her generosity and his need for safety both count.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On Marriage Unhindered, Dr. Alexandra Marcotte joined Doug Hinderer to discuss why couples fight and what it takes to rebuild trust in a marriage.
A listener named Julia called from Chicago with a marriage problem that's been eating at her: her desire to help others keeps colliding with her husband&rsquo;s trust. For example, she had promised to stop driving a neighbor&rsquo;s child to school after he raised concerns about lawsuits and safety, but she secretly kept doing it, then felt both guilty and proud that she was helping.
Over time, Julia sees the pattern: she stops helping one person, then finds another in need. Her husband, afraid that one car accident could bring a lawsuit, now wonders if small lies today could become bigger betrayals tomorrow. Julia fears divorce, yet feels torn every time she sees a child or family she could serve.
Doug sums it up as a trust issue: she told her husband she would stop, then didn&rsquo;t. Dr. Marcotte gently identifies what has happened between Julia and her husband as more than a one-time "ouch". Repeated breaks have become an injury, leaving Julia&rsquo;s husband wondering whether his voice matters and whether she will stay open-hearted with him when her impulse to help kicks in.
The path forward, Dr. Marcotte suggests, begins not with more arguments about liability, but with slowing down and getting curious. Julia can tell her husband, in Doug&rsquo;s words, that he &ldquo;married a woman with a very big heart&rdquo; who wants to be both a good Christian neighbor and a good wife. Then, instead of defending herself, she can linger with his pain, listen to how this pattern has hurt him, and work with him to find a middle ground where her generosity and his need for safety both count.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

When Your Big Heart Hurts Your Marriage (Marriage Unhindered)

An anonymous listener, M.T., wrote in to The Inner Life to ask a profound question about their personal prayer life. In the early-morning quiet, M.T. slips into a guest room to pray before anyone else is awake. There, just before Holy Communion, this listener wrote that their sins suddenly feel “very profound” and heavy. Why would silence before Jesus in the Eucharist make past sins feel so loud?

Guest spiritual director on The Inner Life, Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris, said this may be less a sign of failure and more a sign of a tender conscience. Even after Confession, venial sins and imperfections remain, and when we finally grow still they rise to the surface. The evil one can’t reach the depths of the soul, so he tries to stir up our imagination instead. In those moments, Fr. Michael-Joseph encouraged M.T. to hand everything back to God. The more you surrender, the more you’ll find your peace.

Host Patrick Conley admitted he has also experienced those moments, when impure or uncharitable thoughts appear in prayer, “the farthest thing from what I was thinking about.” That pattern, he said, looks like the work of an enemy who wants to pull us away from the Blessed Sacrament, not the voice of a loving God inviting us closer.

A caller named Maureen joined the conversation, pointing to St. Faustina’s diary, where the devil would “go to flight” at Confession and at the words “and the word was made flesh.” She said she loves an empty Adoration chapel because she can go “deep into conversation and intimate with our Lord.” If your sins feel louder in the quiet, stay. Confess, surrender the noise to Jesus, and let that “positive silence” become a place of mercy, not fear.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

An anonymous listener, M.T., wrote in to The Inner Life to ask a profound question about their personal prayer life. In the early-morning quiet, M.T. slips into a guest room to pray before anyone else is awake. There, just before Holy Communion, this listener wrote that their sins suddenly feel &ldquo;very profound&rdquo; and heavy. Why would silence before Jesus in the Eucharist make past sins feel so loud?
Guest spiritual director on The Inner Life, Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris, said this may be less a sign of failure and more a sign of a tender conscience. Even after Confession, venial sins and imperfections remain, and when we finally grow still they rise to the surface. The evil one can&rsquo;t reach the depths of the soul, so he tries to stir up our imagination instead. In those moments, Fr. Michael-Joseph encouraged M.T. to hand everything back to God. The more you surrender, the more you&rsquo;ll find your peace.
Host Patrick Conley admitted he has also experienced those moments, when impure or uncharitable thoughts appear in prayer, &ldquo;the farthest thing from what I was thinking about.&rdquo; That pattern, he said, looks like the work of an enemy who wants to pull us away from the Blessed Sacrament, not the voice of a loving God inviting us closer.
A caller named Maureen joined the conversation, pointing to St. Faustina&rsquo;s diary, where the devil would &ldquo;go to flight&rdquo; at Confession and at the words &ldquo;and the word was made flesh.&rdquo; She said she loves an empty Adoration chapel because she can go &ldquo;deep into conversation and intimate with our Lord.&rdquo; If your sins feel louder in the quiet, stay. Confess, surrender the noise to Jesus, and let that &ldquo;positive silence&rdquo; become a place of mercy, not fear.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

The Water Analogy for the Trinity and the Heresy of Sabellianism (Father Simon Says)

The Best of the Week

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