A listener recently wrote in to share a surprising experience: she had given her Lutheran neighbor a ride to church and, since she had already been to Mass, decided to sit in on the Lutheran service. What surprised her was how familiar it felt. She noticed women veiling and others kneeling for Communion. When she commented on it, her neighbor smiled and said, “See? Catholics and Lutherans aren’t that different after all!”

Fr. Richard Simon, known for his gentle candor, addressed the moment with his usual mix of clarity and charity. Yes, he acknowledged, there are visible similarities. Catholic and Lutheran services often resemble each other in their structure and reverence. They both include prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and even gestures like kneeling during Communion. It wouldn’t be unusual for a Catholic to feel a sense of familiarity while attending a Lutheran liturgy.

But while the liturgies may look similar on the surface, Fr. Simon pointed out that the underlying theology is where the differences become significant.

For instance, the concept of grace differs between the two traditions. Martin Luther believed in what’s called “irresistible grace”—that if God chooses to save someone, that person cannot refuse it. Catholic teaching, by contrast, emphasizes free will. God offers grace freely, but it is up to the individual to respond, to say yes or no. This distinction underscores a fundamental Catholic understanding of human freedom in the economy of salvation.

Even more central to Catholic identity is the doctrine of the Eucharist. Catholics believe in transubstantiation. During the consecration at Mass, the bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. What remains is only the appearance of bread and wine; their substance is completely transformed. Lutherans, however, hold to a belief called “concomitance,” which teaches that Christ is truly present with the bread and wine, but the bread and wine themselves do not change in substance. This, Fr. Simon stressed, is a major theological divide.

Still, Fr. Simon emphasized unity in Christ. “I believe with all my heart and soul that the Roman Catholic Church—the Church in union with the Pope—is the Church founded by Jesus through the apostles,” he said. But that conviction doesn’t lead to arrogance. On the contrary, it comes with a call to mutual respect. “We’re playing on the same team,” he added, underscoring that Christians of all traditions who sincerely follow Jesus deserve our love, not condemnation.

Would he invite a curious Lutheran to consider becoming Catholic? Absolutely. As he put it, “We’ve got it all!”—the Eucharist, apostolic succession, the treasures of Scripture and Tradition, and a living communion stretching back to Saints Peter and Paul. But the invitation is just that—an invitation, not a dismissal of others’ faith.

In the end, we share much in common with our Protestant brothers and sisters. Yet the differences matter, especially when it comes to understanding the sacraments and the nature of grace. Catholics are called to cherish the fullness of the faith, while always treating others with charity, humility, and hope.

So if you’ve ever wondered how to talk about faith with a friend from another denomination, maybe this is your moment. A kind word, a shared ride, or even a podcast could spark a life-changing conversation.