By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – The Book of Wisdom, written only a single lifetime before Jesus, had spoken of the horrors of paganism, which God had justly punished. Yet God was good and lenient toward His chosen people. Indeed, God has punished disbelievers, but for those who believe in Him who sin, God does forgive, depending on one thing: they must repent! That is … Continue reading Forgiveness and Heaven / Perdón y Cielo
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – The first reading for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to reflect and pray about God’s continual care for the world and what He expects from those who inhabit the earth. Through the prophet Isaiah, God declares: “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but shall … Continue reading The Word of God and Our Earth / La Palabra de Dios y Nuestra Tierra
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – At the Last Supper, Philip said to Jesus, “Show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus had been telling them He was about to leave them. Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Keep … Continue reading My King and My God / Mi Rey y mi Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – Jeremiah had just prophesied the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. Heartbroken, he even accused God of deceiving him into becoming a prophet. He tried to remain silent but lamented, “I am weary of holding it in; I cannot!” He went on to describe how he was persecuted, even being locked in the stocks overnight. Yet God’s prophetic … Continue reading Trust Conquers Anxiety / La Confianza Vence a la Angustia
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Sacred Scripture today takes us back two thousand years to the time of Christ, and another two thousand years further to God’s revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai. Our prayer of reverence to God on this Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time reaches back more than four thousand years! Our passage from Exodus is governed by one enormous word: “IF.” God … Continue reading The Kingdom Is at Hand / El Reino está a Mano
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The Sacred Scriptures of this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus are so explicit that they ought to leave no doubt about what is hidden in the Bread and Wine, the Holy Eucharist. In Exodus, when the starving Jews saw the Maana, they asked exactly that: “What is this? ” Moses told them it was food sent by … Continue reading Corpus Christi: “What is This?” / «¿Qué es esto?»
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The Lord God revealed Himself to His creatures in a variety of ways, yet there is only one God. This is the cornerstone of our Faith. The Father showed himself as All-Mighty by smoke and fire and trembling at the Mountain of God in Sinai. At the foot of the Mountain, He appeared in fire that did not consume a … Continue reading The Most Holy Trinity: The ONE God / La Santísima Trinidad: El ÚNICO Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB At the Last Supper, Jesus, while asserting to His Disciples His Oneness with the Father and that he was leaving them, made a solemn promise, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever,” the Spirit to be with them so they would not be orphans (See Jn 14:15-18). The horror of … Continue reading Pentecost Sunday: A Promise Fulfilled / Una promesa cumplida
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Nothing could stop the expansion of the Church. Stephen’s martyrdom and frightful persecution by the temple regime and by Paul were but seeds for growth. Scattered Christians preached of Jesus and the Kingdom. Deacon Phillip went down to Samaria, where he preached, drove out demons, healed, and cured many. News of the surge of new believers reached Jerusalem. Philip had … Continue reading Sixth Sunday of Easter: Doing it God’s Way / Hacerlo a la manera de Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Last Sunday, we heard Jesus call Himself the Good Shepherd who leads us to Eternal Life. We noted that as Shepherd, he has led us to Heaven’s Gate. There we gather with Him in our midst, seeking to be loyal to Him while each of us awaits our call from this life into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Sacred Scriptures … Continue reading Fifth Sunday of Easter: Jesus is the Way / Jesús es el Camino
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Jesus, Good Shepherd, is a beloved title we and generations before us have used to describe our Divine Savior. We count on Him to lead us to heaven. However, there is another title by which Jesus described Himself. See the Gospel of this fourth Sunday of Easter: “ I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved.” That … Continue reading Fourth Sunday of Easter: Christ Gate of Heaven / Puerta de Cristo del Cielo
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Women reported the empty tomb. Peter and John verified it, and the appearances confirm that indeed Jesus had Risen. Peter’s Pentecost speech in Acts shows how deeply those appearances together with the Spirit’s tongues of fire had emboldened the faith of our infant Church. Peter, with the Apostles fearlessly proclaimed to the unbelieving crowd, “Jesus the Nazarene was a man … Continue reading Breaking of the Bread / Partiendo el Pan
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The Resurrection of Jesus is narrated in each of the four Gospels, and no account is the same as another. No one saw Jesus as He rose. It is evident from all four accounts that the tomb was empty, and Jesus was gone. Beyond that, it is well to accept that, naturally, the same account told by four different people … Continue reading Jesus Is Risen / Jesús Ha Resucitado
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The raising of Lazarus put the temple elite into a fury, and Jesus hid for a time in an out-of-the-way desert town. But ‘His hour’ in God’s plan had come, and in today’s liturgy of blessing the Palms takes us there. Jesus would enter the City and the Temple. The approach to Jerusalem was itself miraculous. The disciples Jesus sent … Continue reading Palm Sunday:The Cost of Sin / El coste del pecado
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB St. John’s Gospel is “marked” by events that led Jesus into conflict with the self-styled “keepers” of the Law. They despised the Samaritans, yet Jesus chose a sinful Samaritan woman to reveal that He was the Messiah. She and her townspeople came to believe in Jesus, the Savior of the world. John also recounts the healing of a man born … Continue reading Come Out, Lazarus / Sal Lázaro
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB This command from St. Paul to the Ephesians and to us is not Paul’s but God’s. ‘Awake from the darkness of sin and live in the light of Christ!” It is a warning cry for all of us. We have turned toward God. Yet we may get sleepy on our way, over-confident that we have no sin. Yes, God has … Continue reading Rise from the Dead / Resucita de Entre Los Muertos
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Many times, we hear those words as a description of the testing place where water gushed from the side of Mount Horeb. The going was tough; the place dry and the people feared they and their stocks would die of thirst. Moses reminded them that they were led there by God, that they ought to trust Him, but instead were … Continue reading Massa and Meriba / Massa y Meribá
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB During Lent it is wise to reawaken awareness of a sad truth. We are constantly under pressure from our human weakness and through assault of the evil one to allow sin to crawl into our lives. Our first Lenten Sunday readings remind us that sinfulness is part of human history. From the beginning man and woman were created good with … Continue reading Called to Combat / Llamados al Combate
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Long before Christ, Moses urged that we keep God’s commandments faithfully. He declared, “This great nation is truly a wise and discerning people”…”For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call upon him.” Thus was the Law set as the source of ancient Wisdom. Living … Continue reading Wise Wiser Wisest / Sabio más sabio
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB A constant theme runs through all the readings of the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and it is, “Whatever you do, do it for the Glory of God.” Seven hundred years before Christ, Isaiah led the way, speaking to his fellow worshipers, “Thus says the LORD:” share food and shelter, your clothing with the hungry, the homeless, the naked. Do … Continue reading For God’s Glory / Por la Gloria de Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Lord Jesus, when You taught the ‘Beatitudes,’ it might seem that you intended to puzzle us. What you taught there on the hillside seemed so contrary to our way of thinking. Keep us company now as we seek to fathom more deeply your meaning. Surely however, you did want to tell us for our own good to stay aware that … Continue reading Two Worlds / Dos Mundos
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The Church Christ founded was not to be confined to out-of-the-way Nazareth. There, they wanted to hurl Jesus off Nazareth’s cliff. Instead, Christ’s Church had its public start in the Jordan Valley where Jesus was baptized by John. Impelled by the Spirit, in conflict with Satan, He further prepared for His mission. Then He preached the Kingdom of Heaven widely … Continue reading A Great Light Has Risen / Una Gran Luz ha Surgido
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB A precious memory during the Christmas Season was of Joseph and Mary bringing Baby Jesus to the Temple and offering Him back to God. They heard Simeon proclaim the Child to be ‘Salvation, ‘Light and Glory’ of nations. Likewise, this second Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear Isaiah centuries before state about the Messiah and God’s Chosen People, “I will … Continue reading More Than Any Man / Más Que Cualquier Otro Hombre
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Last Sunday, the Epiphany celebrated three events: First, the manifestation of Jesus to the Magi, for this Child was born for all nations; Second, the revelation that God was Trinity: the heavens opened as Jesus stepped from the water and the Spirit of God descended upon Him as a Dove, and the Father’s voice declared Jesus His beloved Son; third … Continue reading Baptism of the Lord / Bautismo del Señor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Our Scriptural prayer this Holy Family Sunday leads us to trace God’s place, His guidance, and His authority in the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. First, we might notice that the opening reading from Sirach turns the family’s name around. It becomes Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. St. Paul, much in the Old Testament style of Sirach, does refer to … Continue reading A Unique Family / Una Familia Única
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Advent has repeatedly confronted us with an astounding truth: the Spirit-God has deigned to take upon Himself the form of a human being. He actually did come and live among us. In Advent, the Church has placed before us a wealth of scriptural references to help us celebrate once more the fulfillment of human history’s greatest moment. The liturgy acclaims … Continue reading The Lord God Among Us / El Señor Dios Entre Nosotros
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Dios es Espíritu y Vida Un Salmo del Antiguo Testamento, 115:4-5, disfruta mucho burlándose de dioses hechos de madera, plata u oro formados por manos humanas, que necesitan ser llevados por quienes los hicieron. No es así nuestro Dios, el verdadero Dios que es el Espíritu. Nos ha hablado, nos ha guiado, acompañado e instruido para que le hagamos una … Continue reading God Is Spirit and Life / Dios es Espíritu y Vida
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB When Mary visited her kinswoman Elizabeth, the full realization of all that took place back at Nazareth dawned. She truly was to be Mother of God. She burst into song, and in one of its verses she marveled, “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name.” In another burst of realization she exclaimed, “He … Continue reading Whom Do We Await? / ¿A Quién Esperamos?
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – As we begin a new Liturgical Year, our Church invites us, the chosen and loyal, together with her to “Walk in the Light of the Lord.” In Genesis, the first thing God shares on all creation is just that, light. “Let there be light,” He said, and chaos and darkness were overcome by His presence and power. Isaiah sensed God’s light and in it saw a … Continue reading Walk in the Light / Camina a la luz
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Quite often we sing a hymn that reveals for us a marvelous quality of our Catholic Church, “One Bread, one Body, one Lord of All.” The first reading chosen for the Solemnity of Christ Our King asks us not to forget the “oneness” of our Church. Leaders of the many tribes of Israel gathered at Hebron, burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and … Continue reading Christ Savior King / Cristo Rey Salvador
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – One day time will end; there will be a new heaven and a new earth. So the voice of God revealed from His Throne to the beloved Apostle St John (cf. Rev 21:1-5ff):“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” Heaven and earth will … Continue reading The Lord Comes / El Señor viene
By Friday. Ed Liptak, SDB Why does a building of mortar and stone deserve such esteem as to set aside a Sunday? Because it celebrates the Mother Church of Roman Catholicism. Though St Peter’s Basilica was built over the tomb of Peter, it was completed only in 1626. It lies within the Vatican where the Pope lives and governs, but his Cathedral is not there. Pope … Continue reading Holy Dwellings of God / Moradas Sagradas de Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Fundamental to our Christian belief is that there is life beyond, and that life is eternal. Our faith in the afterlife brings us hope. It helps us to bear whatever each day may bring with tranquility. It gives calm and purpose as does the prayer Don Bosco taught his youngsters, “Dear Mother Mary, ever Virgin, help me to save my soul.” Now, … Continue reading Life Goes On / La vida continúa
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The ancient Wisdom of Sirach upholds how fair God’s relationship is with humankind. “The LORD is a God of justice,who knows no favorites.” The poor and lowly who have room for God in their lives and who turn to Him in distress hope simply to be heard, for indeed, “The Lord hears the cry of the poor”(Ps 34:7a). Sirach goes on to describe why … Continue reading Serve the Lord Willingly / Servir al Señor de buena gana
By Fr. Edward Liptak, SDB Within the scriptures of 29th Sunday C lie consoling words well worth repeating, “Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth” (Ps 121:2). People who by the grace of God have made this belief a basic conviction of their lives are among the most calm and cheerful dwellers on earth. In Exodus, the liberated Hebrews approached the Mountain of God. A Chaldean warrior named Amalek sought to destroy … Continue reading Facing Life’s Battles / Enfrentando las batallas de la Vida
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The readings on this 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time C place us in very deep water. From the Old Testament to the New, we are confronted with tremendous miracles that arise out of faith – It seems, though, not today. Is that true? Let us think. Let us pray. First, the prophet Elisha, successor to the great Elijah, and Naaman, a military leader … Continue reading Give Thanks to the Lord /Demos gracias al Señor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – “The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold,” is the way a famed British poet described the bloody advance of Nebuchadnezzar up to the very gates of Jerusalem. But by the intervention of God, the Babylonian siege failed. Eighteen years later, a new king succeeded. Jerusalem fell, and the Babylonian Exile of the elite, even Isaiah of … Continue reading A Wolf on the Fold / Un lobo en el redil
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – King David unified the twelve tribes of Israel, and his son Solomon kept the tribes united and Jerusalem as their capital. After Solomon, a money-loving king of Judah, caused ten tribes still calling themselves Israel to break away. Separation weakened their loyalty to Yahweh and His Temple. Last week, we heard Amos predict their captivity, and this week, we … Continue reading Alive in God’s Mercy / Vivos en la misericordia de Dios
By Fr. Ed Lipstick, SDB On the 25th Sunday C, the prophet Amos opens the readings, teaching the way to a happy life here and in heaven. Amos is known as the prophet of Social Justice. Though he was from Judaea, he proclaimed that the Samaritan kingdom would fall because of its irreligious and unjust ways – unfair tactics of the wealthy and powerful against poor common … Continue reading Make Heaven Rejoice / Haz que el cielo se regocije
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Every good story has a climax. The best story ever told, the History of Salvation, has its high point on the height of Calvary, and the instrument of our salvation was the wood of the Cross. We are saved by this tool of torture meant to remove Jesus in pain from the face of the earth. Instead, it installed Him forever as Savior of … Continue reading Symbol of Our Faith / Símbolo de nuestra fe
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, C, offers strong suggestions to not to be caught non-humble, for it can easily be turned into painful humiliation. Sirach 3 leads the way. A proud man puts himself in danger of being belittled.“ … An attentive [humble] ear is the joy of the wise. Water quenches [pride’s] flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.” Friends, listen … Continue reading Non-Humility Begets Humiliation / La No-Humildad Engendra Humillación
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – From Tarshish in the west at the mouth of the Mediterranean to Lud of East Asia and all the Coastlands, says Isaiah, that is where the knowledge of the true God will prevail. And as the great Prophet declared, so it is, helped by the return from Persian captivity of Yahweh’s Chosen People. And we, with confidence, see our … Continue reading From West to East and Beyond/ Del Oeste al Este y Más Allá
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Two weeks ago, the Old Testament reading on Tuesday, 18th Week, Ordinary Time C, Numbers (12:1-13) told how a family spat arose between Moses, his sister Miriam, and brother Aaron. Moses had dared to marry someone not of his tribe or race. God settled the argument in favor of Moses. Now, on his Sunday, the Jewish Prophet Jeremiah was cast … Continue reading One Lord, One Way/ Un Señor, Un Camino
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Sacred Scripture has the Lord Jesus utter some terrible words, that whoever in anger calls his brother ‘Raqqa or Fool,’ is himself worthy of separation from God and hellfire (See Mt 5:22 ). Such judgement belongs to God not anyone else, and Christ’s terrible meaning is that one who judges another, says harshly and means it, “Go to Hell!,“ separates … Continue reading Wisdom Leading to God/ La Sabiduría Que Conduce a Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Sixteenth Sunday, Be Generous; Seventeenth Sunday, Be Strong; this Eighteenth Sunday, “Eat, Drink, and be Merry” is that what Jesus said? Not exactly, but He did use those words to warn his listeners that to live by them is foolish and would lead a person to a regretful end. The Book of Ecclesiastes leads us emphatically to live wisely and not … Continue reading “Rest, Eat, Drink, be Merry!”/ “¡Descansa, come, bebe, diviértete!”
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Last Sunday, we were confronted with examples of ‘generosity’, and our Church advised us, ‘go and do likewise.’ The good Lord Jesus was to be for us the greatest example of self-giving. This 17th Sunday, we are challenged to make ‘persistence in prayer’ a key part of our Christian and pastoral life. Abraham of the Old Testament is once more … Continue reading Persistence in Prayer / Persistencia en la Oración
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Our Reading from Genesis on this 16th Sunday C presents Abraham not only as a man of faith, but an exceptionally generous man, as well. Abraham saw three men sheltering from the heat under an oak tree, and he offered them food and rest. Moses, without hesitation, identified them as sent by the LORD. Yet, Moses did refer to the … Continue reading Blessed the Generous Heart / Bendito el Corazón Generoso
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Moses toward the end of the books of ‘The Law’ offered a plea, “Heed the voice of the LORD.” God’s ‘commands and statutes’ are to be kept. He is our creator God, and in Him we believe, and we find our belief not in far off mysteries of the heavens nor the earth no seas. We believe because of his revealed Law given to us … Continue reading Heed the Lord’s Voice / Escucha la Voz del Señor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Often, we are told to consider the Jerusalem of the prophets as God’s Church. Prayerfully let us do that with the last chapter of Isaiah, our first reading of today, and let us do it with joy. Jerusalem, our Church – Rejoice with her and exult, we who live in mourning with her in the chaos of our times. // Think of her … Continue reading “Cry Out With Joy” / “Clamar de alegría”
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – Solemnity: Most Holy Eucharist Genesis traced many centuries of human growth in the Fertile Crescent, a watered area believed to be the cradle of humanity. Within was Bagdad, Iraq, and not too far away, the ancient city of Ur, where, in about 2000 BC, Abraham was born. He and others, like Melchisedek, believed in our One God, and God … Continue reading Body and Blood of Christ / Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – Through the Scriptures of Trinity Sunday, our Church reveals much about the God we worship. First, from the Book of Proverbs, that by His nature, He is the fullness of Wisdom. It is of His Being, and everything God created reveals His Wisdom. Wisdom entered every aspect of the earth we observe. Wisdom was present in God as the … Continue reading The Church of God / La Iglesia de Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – Hebrews celebrate Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover. We celebrate it fifty days after Easter. Every seven years, Jewish Pentecost and Christian Pentecost are celebrated on the same day. We know most about the Ascension from St. Luke, and so we get the fullest report on Pentecost from the end of Luke’s Gospel and from his Acts of the … Continue reading Spirit and Life / Espíritu y Vida
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – St. Luke followed his Gospel with a second book, Acts of the Apostles. Our first reading demonstrates why, at times, Acts is referred to as the ‘Gospel of the Holy Spirit.’ Jesus instructed the Apostles through the Holy Spirit, says Acts. After His Resurrection, He continued to teach them for about six weeks till it was time for Him … Continue reading The Circuit is Completed / El Circuito Se Ha Completado
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – All was not perfect in the Apostolic Church. On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, Acts relates the decision of the Council of Jerusalem settling a bitter debate. Converts in the Holy City heard of the Apostle Paul’s success in bringing Gentiles to the faith. The Jews argued that to be saved Gentiles must not only be baptized but also … Continue reading Early Church Membership / Membresía de la Iglesia Primitiva
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Mass this 5th Sunday of Easter refers often to Jesus, Risen Savior and Shepherd, and to us, His flock who follow Him. The reading from Acts points to a new shepherd, Jesus, taught by Paul and his companion Barnabas. The Church never forgets the Passion, nor does Paul forget: “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter … Continue reading From Difficulty to Glory / De la Dificultad a La Gloria
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The reading from Acts on this 4th Easter Sunday puts St. Paul and Barnabas at Perga, a Mediterranean seaport town, then northward to an Asia Minor city named Antioch. It is not Antioch, in Syria, where Peter was the first Bishop. St. Luke’s aim was to show the rapid growth of the earliest Church. Luke wants us to note that … Continue reading Our Growing Church / Nuestra Iglesia en Crecimiento
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – The Acts of the Apostles records that nothing could stop them from talking about Jesus, not even being called up before the full assembly of the Temple court. Peter and the others boldly resisted a repeated order not to preach in Jesus’ name. They retorted, “We must obey God rather than men.” Further, they openly accused the Sanhedrin of … Continue reading Not Fear or Force But Love / No El Miedo O La Fuerza, Sino El Amor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – The Salesians of Don Bosco coat of arms bears an image of St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of Divine Love. Nearby is a flaming Heart, the ardent Love of the Lord Jesus. Francis, who died in 1622 was an early devotee of the Sacred Heart. Some sixty years later, a Sister of the Visitation, founded by Francis, St. Margaret … Continue reading Divine Mercy Sunday / Domingo de la Divina Misericordia
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB “If Christ had not Risen, our Faith would be in vain” (1 Cor 15:14-19). All that Jesus said, all the signs He worked, would have counted for nothing except that the tomb where He was buried was empty, and an angel proclaimed, “You seek Jesus. He is not here, He is risen.” And for many days, He began a multitude … Continue reading The Lord Is Risen! Hallelujah! / Triunfo y Sufrimiento
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB We join the triumph of Jesus, King in the royal line of David, as He enters the Holy City of Jerusalem, God’s dwelling place in the Holy of Holies. “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up again,” Jesus had said. He was the Living Temple of the LORD, about to battle victoriously over sin and … Continue reading Triumph and Suffering / Triunfo y Sufrimiento
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB This fifth Sunday of Lent, Isaiah recalls God’s powerful presence among His ancient Chosen; St. Paul urges unshaken belief in God with us through the presence of Jesus; and John’s Gospel displays God’s Wisdom and Might in Jesus, the forgiver of sin. Isaiah, writing during the darkness of Babylonian and Persian captivity, reminds his fellow captives how God ended the Egyptian captivity. … Continue reading Repentance Brings Joy / El arrepentimiento trae gozo
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – God has given us three fine gifts that, if we use them, can lead us gently toward Him. The first is Memory. It is a sort of warmup gift we need to get us off any laziness about ourselves and get us climbing toward God. Any one of us can use this method. It demands only that we take … Continue reading Steps Toward God / Pasos Hacia Dios
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – This third Sunday C of Lent places us before the Burning Bush as God proclaims Himself to be the Being of all Being. It is a fundamental statement that God is at the center of all that exists, that he was, is, and always will be the source of everything that is. He is the creator and the One … Continue reading God My Inheritance / Dios Mi Herencia
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – God’s dated relationship with Moses in about 1280 BC enabled him to go back in Genesis another 200 years to the times of Abram. This Second Sunday of Lent then, we return nearly 3250 years to trace the founding of the Old Testament or Contract of God with humankind, the basis of our revealed religion. Abram had obeyed God, … Continue reading God Speaks with Humans
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB – La relación fechada de Dios con Moisés alrededor del año 1280 A.C. le permitió retroceder en Génesis otros 200 años hasta los tiempos de Abram. Este Segundo Domingo de Cuaresma, entonces, regresamos casi 3250 años para rastrear la fundación del Antiguo Testamento o Contrato de Dios con la humanidad, la base de nuestra religión revelada. Abram había obedecido a Dios, … Continue reading Dios Habla Con Los Seres Humanos
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB God was about to lay the foundation of true faith in Him, and God chose Abraham, a descendant of Shem, Noah’s son, to lead a chosen people into a new relationship with Him. In the opening reading of the first Sunday of Lent, Moses traced God’s continuing gift to His people throughout their varied history. Their offering of the first … Continue reading God Near Us / Dios Cerca De Nosotros
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB ‘Be careful,’ for your speech betrays who you are. Note the way someone talks. Wise advice comes from Sirach: “One’s speech discloses the bent of one’s mind,” or “Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that people are tested.” If one’s speech is forever dotted with “I, Me, My, Mine” that person is probably self-centered. The Psalm … Continue reading Watch What You Say
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB ‘Ten cuidado’, porque tu forma de hablar delata quién eres. Fíjate en la forma en que alguien habla. Un sabio consejo proviene del Eclesiástico: “El discurso de uno revela la inclinación de la mente de uno”, o “No alabes a nadie antes de que hable, porque es entonces cuando las personas son probadas”. Si el discurso de uno está siempre … Continue reading Cuidado Con Lo Que Dices
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Human nature was spoiled by sin, but who among us can say we have never seen human goodness? This seventh Sunday C, we meet several examples of our nature at its best. Think first, though, of the Creator God’s nature cited by Psalm 103. From Him, all goodness flows, and our human being shares His image and likeness. Says the … Continue reading Natural and Spiritual
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB La naturaleza humana fue estropeada por el pecado, pero ¿quién de nosotros puede decir que nunca ha visto la bondad humana? Este séptimo domingo, nos encontramos con varios ejemplos de nuestra naturaleza en su máxima expresión. Sin embargo, piense primero en la naturaleza del Dios Creador citada por el Salmo 103. De Él fluye toda bondad, y nuestro ser humano … Continue reading Natural y Espiritual
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The Old Testament of the Jewish people opens with an account of the Good and the Bad, the work of the Creator God, the marvels of this world, and the jealousy of the evil one who spoiled humanity and everything else in the world. There is God, the source of goodness and love. There is Satan, the source of evil … Continue reading Good Times and Bad
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB El Antiguo Testamento del pueblo judío comienza con un relato del Bien y del Mal, de la obra del Dios Creador y de las maravillas de este mundo y de los celos del maligno que echó a perder a la humanidad y todo lo demás en el mundo. Ahí está Dios, fuente de bondad y amor. Ahí está Satanás, fuente … Continue reading Buenos y Malos Momentos
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB We concentrate this 5th Sunday on our Christian calling and mission, and we turn for help to Isaiah, spokesperson of the Lord. His call and mission can remind us of our own call from God to love and serve Him and our brothers and sisters in faith. Isaiah had a wide call to priesthood as he was of the priestly … Continue reading Call and Mission
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Nos concentramos este 5º domingo en nuestra vocación y misión cristiana, y nos dirigimos en busca de ayuda a Isaías, portavoz del Señor. Su llamado y misión pueden recordarnos de nuestro propio llamado de Dios a amarlo y servirlo a Él y a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en la fe. Isaías tuvo un amplio llamado al sacerdocio, ya que pertenecía a … Continue reading Llamado y Misión
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Often in our Catholic upbringing, with Rosary in hand we have prayed in the Joyful Mysteries, The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple. The Gospel of Luke, however, speaks of two duties of the Law: ‘Purification’ of husband and wife; ‘Presentation’ of their firstborn. Luke treats them as one, ‘purification’ after all the privacy of childbearing; ‘presentation’ to … Continue reading Presentation – Purification
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB PRESENTACIÓN—PURIFICACIÓN A menudo en nuestra educación católica, con el Rosario en la mano, hemos rezado en los Misterios Gozosos, La Presentación del Niño Jesús en el Templo. El Evangelio de Lucas, sin embargo, habla de dos deberes de la Ley: la “purificación” del esposo y de la esposa; ‘Presentación’ de su primogénito. Lucas los trata como uno solo, la “purificación” después … Continue reading Presentación – Purificación
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Our first reading on this 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time C celebrates two men, Ezra and Nehemiah. After the Babylonian captivity they worked together to re-establish the Jewish State and the Old Testament religion. After the exile, Nehemiah was Governor of Judea, and he is the historian of this key moment in Jewish history. He recorded not about himself but … Continue reading His Public Ministry Begins
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Nuestra primera lectura de este 3er Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario C celebra a dos hombres, Esdras y Nehemías. Después del cautiverio babilónico, trabajaron juntos para restablecer el Estado judío y la religión del Antiguo Testamento. Después del exilio, Nehemías fue gobernador de Judea, y es el historiador de este momento clave en la historia judía. No registró sobre sí mismo, … Continue reading Paz Civil y Religiosa
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB On this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Isaiah begins with a Victory Hymn of the LORD. Cyrus, Emperor of the pagan Persian Empire, set the captives free to return to Jerusalem and restore the ruined Temple and its treasure. So amazing was this deed to Israel that the Hebrew Bible honored Cyrus as Anointed of God, an early Messiah. We … Continue reading His Public Ministry Begins
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB En este Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Isaías comienza con un Himno de Victoria del Señor. Ciro, emperador del Imperio persa pagano, liberó a los cautivos para que regresaran a Jerusalén y restauraran el Templo que había quedado en ruinas y su tesoro. Tan asombroso fue este hecho a Israel, que la Biblia hebrea honró a Ciro como Ungido de … Continue reading Comienza Su Ministerio Público
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – English doesn’t hesitate to steal words from many languages, like the Greek word, ‘epiphany. Example: “At Bible Study, I have one epiphany after another.” This is a fine English statement. It means that I enjoy one bright revelation after another. In our liturgy, we are enlightened by several manifestations of God to humanity. At the Baptism, God revealed Himself by His voice and the Dove above the head of Jesus. Jesus revealed … Continue reading Epiphany: Revelation
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB – El inglés no duda en robar palabras de muchos idiomas, como la palabra griega ‘epifanía’. Ejemplo: “En el estudio bíblico, tengo una epifanía tras otra”. Esta es una buena declaración en inglés. Significa que disfruto de una brillante revelación tras otra. En nuestra liturgia somos iluminados por varias manifestaciones de Dios a la humanidad. En el Bautismo, Dios se … Continue reading Epifanía: Revelación
Today’s Gospel might show that even Joseph and Mary had parental problems raising Jesus. Their Son had reached the age of twelve and was experiencing the newfound freedom of manhood. The mistake of His parents is an example of how He and they grew together. Because of His budding freedom, Jesus could choose with whom He would travel in the caravan returning to Galilee. His parents were wise enough to permit … Continue reading Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Us
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB – El Evangelio de hoy podría mostrar que incluso José y María tuvieron problemas para criar a Jesús. Su Hijo había alcanzado la edad de doce años y estaba experimentando la nueva libertad de la edad adulta. El error de sus padres es un ejemplo de cómo él y ellos crecieron juntos. Debido a su incipiente libertad, Jesús podía elegir … Continue reading Jesús, María, José y nosotros
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – Often, the 4th Sunday of Advent occurs just a day or two before the Birthday of Jesus, and the readings this Sunday speak of the nearness of His coming. When the Wise Men inquired of Herod where the King of the Jews was born, Herod could not answer. Appointed king by the Romans, he was ignorant of Jewish tradition. His … Continue reading The Origin of Jesus
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB – A menudo, el 4º Domingo de Adviento ocurre justo uno o dos días antes del cumpleaños de Jesús, y las lecturas de este domingo hablan de la proximidad de Su venida. Cuando los magos preguntaron a Herodes dónde había nacido el rey de los judíos, Herodes no pudo responder. Nombrado rey por los romanos, ignoraba la tradición judía. Sus … Continue reading El Origen de Jesús
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – What a tremendous privilege is ours, that God should dwell amidst humanity! That the eternal God, “Mighty Savior,” should come and assume and cleanse our human race. The prophet Zephaniah could not have known the full meaning of what he said, that in truth, one day when sinfulness was to be conquered, darkness overcome, God would dwell anew in … Continue reading God In Our Midst
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB – ¡Qué tremendo privilegio es el nuestro, que Dios habite entre la humanidad! Que el Dios eterno, “Poderoso Salvador”, venga y asuma y purifique nuestra raza humana. El profeta Sofonías no podía saber el significado completo de lo que dijo, que en verdad, un día cuando el pecado fuera conquistado, la oscuridad vencida, Dios habitaría nuevamente en Jerusalén. El gozo … Continue reading Dios en Nuestro Medio
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – The ‘Day of Christ’ that holds our interest is not the day of His second coming but that of the Child cradled in the elder Simeon’s arms at the newborn Child’s presentation in the Temple. Gazing at the baby Simeon says, “This child is meantfor the rise and fall of many.” He sees “salvation.” He thanks the Holy Spirit, whose promise that he would see the Messiah is fulfilled, and … Continue reading Blameless for the Day of Christ
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB – El “Día de Cristo” en la que nos interesa, no es el día de Su segunda venida, sino el del niño acunado en los brazos del anciano Simeón en la presentación del Niño recién nacido en el Templo. Mirando al bebé, Simeón dice: “Este niño está hecho para el ascenso y la caída de muchos”. Él ve la “salvación”. … Continue reading Sin Mancha Para el Día de Cristo
By Friday. Ed Liptak, SDB Out of the chaos of history, the voice of Jeremiah the Prophet cried out that days were coming when Jerusalem would be raised from turmoil and darkness. Peace and justice would be restored. So powerful would God’s presence be that Jerusalem herself would be called “The LORD our justice.” As this first day of Advent has indeed come, it is a good time for … Continue reading Hall of Justice
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Desde el caos de la historia, la voz del profeta Jeremías gritó que vendrían días en que Jerusalén sería levantada de la confusión y la oscuridad. La paz y la justicia serían restauradas. Tan poderosa sería la presencia de Dios que Jerusalén misma sería llamada: “El Señor nuestra justicia”. Puesto que este primer día de Adviento ha llegado, es un … Continue reading Salón de Justicia
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB – Of course, we never forget, and we pray in St. John’s awesome, loving way of referring to Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God.” And John went on, that through Him all were created, that He took flesh and lived among us to be our Savior. Now lovingly, we, the saved, recall … Continue reading Savior King Over All
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB – Por supuesto, nunca olvidamos, y oramos en la asombrosa forma amorosa de San Juan de referirse a Jesús, “En el principio era el Verbo, y el Verbo estaba con Dios y el Verbo ERA Dios” Y Juan continuó, que por medio de Él todo fue creado, que Él tomó carne y vivió entre nosotros para ser nuestro Salvador. Ahora, … Continue reading Rey Salvador Sobre Todo
Now mid-November may be a good time to refresh our liturgical bearings. This Sunday, 11.17.24, is the last Ordinary Sunday of the Liturgical Year. The following Sunday, 11.24.24, is that of the great Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It opens the 34th Week in Ordinary Time. At the end of that week, starting December 1st, is the new 1st Sunday … Continue reading The End Times
Ahora, a mediados de noviembre, puede ser un buen momento para refrescar nuestros rumbos litúrgicos. Este domingo, 17.11.24, es el último domingo ordinario del año litúrgico. El domingo siguiente, 24.11.24, es el de la gran solemnidad de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo. Abre la Semana 34 del Tiempo Ordinario. Al final de esa semana, a partir del 1 de diciembre, es el nuevo 1er domingo … Continue reading El Fin de Los Tiempos
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB In a prophetic vision during a time of drought, Elijah was bidden by God to leave Israel and seek food from a widow north of the border in Sidon. God had influenced her to help in this matter of life and death. By her recognition of Elijah as a man of God, Elijah’s life was spared for a whole year, and so were the lives of … Continue reading Focus on Life to Come
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB En una visión profética durante un tiempo de sequía, Dios le ordenó a Elías que saliera de Israel y buscara comida de una viuda al norte de la frontera en Sidón. Dios había influido en ella para que la ayudara en este asunto de la vida y la muerte. Al reconocer a Elías como hombre de Dios, la vida de … Continue reading Enfócate en La Vida Venidera
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Shortly before dying, Moses spoke to the people about to enter the Promised Land in a sort of last testament. It came in two parts. First, fear the Lord God and keep His Law, and thus earn the reward: long life, prosperity, and a rich land to call their own. But there was a second part: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the … Continue reading A Final Testament
Por P. Ed Liptak SDB Poco antes de morir, Moisés habló al pueblo que estaba a punto de entrar a la Tierra Prometida en una especie de último testamento. Venía en dos partes. Primero, teman al Señor Dios y guarden Su Ley, y por lo tanto la recompensa: larga vida, prosperidad y una tierra rica que la llamarán suya. Pero había una segunda parte: “¡Escucha, Israel! … Continue reading Un Testamento Final
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The northern kingdom of Israel had been taken into Babylonian exile, and Jerusalem was in deadly danger. Jeremiah in our first reading on this 30th Ordinary Sunday B foretells relief. The prophet of gloom and doom was now preaching about Israel at the end of their Babylonian captivity. In doing so, Jeremiah strikes for us the theme of woe and … Continue reading From Darkness to Light
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB El reino del norte de Israel había sido llevado al exilio babilónico, y Jerusalén estaba en peligro mortal. Jeremías, en nuestra primera lectura de este 30º Domingo Ordinario, predice alivio. El profeta de la oscuridad y la fatalidad estaba ahora predicando acerca de Israel al final de su cautiverio en Babilonia. Al hacerlo, Jeremías nos toca el tema de la … Continue reading De la oscuridad a la luz
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Shortly before her death, St. Therese of the Child Jesus learned that her manuscripts about her little way, her method of living a holy life, would be published. She imagined numbers discovering, as she did, that God can be well served simply by accepting life’s daily claims and living them for God, the “Little Way.” She knew her death was … Continue reading “Little Victims”
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Today’s Scriptures teach us to be aware that there are those ever ready to assault us. We seek to live rightfully in ways pleasing to God. Enemies of our souls let us flirt with evil, commit sin. Permitting thus, we stand outside the gates of hell, ready to enter the realms of darkness and hatred, ready for an awful eternity. The … Continue reading With Open Hearts
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Las Escrituras de hoy nos enseñan a ser conscientes de que siempre hay quienes están listos para atacarnos. Buscamos vivir rectamente de maneras que agraden a Dios. Pero hay enemigos influyen nuestras almas para coquetear con el mal, para que cometamos pecado. Si esto lo permitimos que suceda, nos encontraremos frente de las puertas del infierno, con ganas de entrar … Continue reading Con el corazón abierto
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Our scriptures this 24th Sunday B, are a reminder of how we Christians ought to live. The title of an old guide, The Imitation of Christ, 1414, best sums up our task. Now, though far away from Passion Tide, each Sunday reading refers to the Suffering Savior. While meditating on how we Christians should live, it is good that we have a reminder of the Passion. Troubles are a big … Continue reading A Christian Way of Life
Por P Ed Liptak, SDB Nuestras Escrituras de este 24º Domingo B, son un recordatorio de cómodebemos vivir los cristianos. El título de una antigua guía, La imitación de Cristo,1414, es el que mejor resume nuestra tarea. Ahora, aunque lejos de la Pasión,cada lectura dominical se refiere al Salvador Sufriente. Al meditar sobre cómodebemos vivir los cristianos, es bueno que tengamos un recordatorio de laPasión. Los … Continue reading Un Estilo de Vida Cristiana
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB (Corpus Christi Church, San Francisco, California) – We meet Jesus on this 23rd Sunday in the midst of an excursion into pagan territory to the north of Israel, the twin districts of Tyre and Sion. There He had cast a demon from the daughter of a widow, but only after reminding her bluntly that he had come for the Jews. Now, from this region … Continue reading Spreading the News
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB (La Iglesia de Corpus Christi, San Francisco, California) Nos encontramos con Jesús en este domingo 23 en medio de una excursión al territorio pagano al norte de Israel, los distritos gemelos de Tiro y Sión. Allí había expulsado a un demonio de la hija de una viuda, pero sólo después de recordarle sin rodeos que había venido por los judíos. … Continue reading Difusión de la noticia
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Hacia el final de su vida, Moisés dio sabias instrucciones al pueblo sobre lo que Dios quería para ellos, y en el último libro de la Ley repitió: “En tu observancia de los mandamientos de Jehová, tu Dios… no añadirás a lo que yo te mando, ni restarás de ello”. Moisés no fue tanto el legislador como el que declaró … Continue reading Guarda mis mandamientos
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Moses toward the end of his life gave wise instruction to the people on what God willed for them, and in the final book of the Law he repeated, “In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, … you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.” Moses was not so much the … Continue reading Keep My Commandments
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB We must keep in mind the few verses that precede our 21st Sunday Gospel from John before we take a final plunge into the claims of Jesus, the Lord: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life (Jn 6:54). My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink (56). Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my … Continue reading Final Insistence: Just Response
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Debemos tener en cuenta los pocos versículos que preceden a nuestro Evangelio del Domingo 21 de Juan antes de dar un salto final en las afirmaciones de Jesús, el Señor: El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre Tiene vida eterna (Jn 6:54). Mi carne es verdadera comida, y mi sangre es verdadera bebida (56). El que come mi … Continue reading Insistencia final: Respuesta justa
By Fr. Ed Lipton, SDB St. John’s Gospel, Jn 6, led off with one of the seven great signs used by John to repeat the teachings of Jesus. He now reaches a critical point where Jesus said, “I am the living bread WHO descended from heaven. If anyone EATS from this bread, he shall live in eternity. And the bread that I will give is MY Flesh for … Continue reading Jesus and We Insist
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB El Evangelio de San Juan, Jn 6, comienza con uno de los siete grandes signos utilizados por Juan para repetir las enseñanzas de Jesús. Ahora llega a un punto crítico donde Jesús dijo: “Yo soy el pan vivo que descendió del cielo. Si alguno come de este pan, vivirá en la eternidad. Y el pan que yo daré es mi … Continue reading Jesús y nosotros insistimos
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Our adventure into St. John’s Gospel this eighteenth Sunday opens with the Exodus account of God providing food for the liberated Hebrews., a foreshadowing of the food Jesus provides in the Eucharist. Then, St. Paul to the Ephesians launches into a strong exhortation to accept and live the way we Christians ought, according to the new set of rules given … Continue reading Jesus, Food for Eternal Life
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB En el Evangelio de San Juan este decimoctavo domingo, nuestra aventura comienza con el relato del Éxodo de Dios proporcionando alimento a los hebreos liberados, un presagio del alimento que Jesús proporciona en la Eucaristía. A continuación, san Pablo a los Efesios lanza una fuerte exhortación a aceptar y vivir como debemos hacerlo los cristianos, según el nuevo conjunto de … Continue reading Jesús, Alimento para la Vida Eterna
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB There is power beyond human power. The scriptures on this 17th Sunday B insist on one thing: Believe in the power of God! But faith is a gift of God beyond human strength to achieve. It can come only from God. Our task then is to be open to that gift, to allow the gift of faith to enter and become strong. So, … Continue reading Divine Power at Work
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Hay poder más allá del poder humano. Las Escrituras de este 17º Domingo B insisten en una cosa: ¡Creer! En el poder de Dios. Pero la fe es un don de Dios que va más allá de las fuerzas humanas para alcanzarla. Solo puede venir de Dios. Nuestra tarea, entonces, es estar abiertos a ese don, permitir que el don de … Continue reading El Poder Divino en Acción
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB What are the qualities of a good shepherd? Psalm 23 displays them beautifully: He leads me to the green and restful pastures of heaven; there I will be refreshed and my thirst for God satisfied; He guides me on safe paths; my journey may be clouded by darkness of evil, but He is at my side; the power in His staff gives … Continue reading Defend Me, O Lord
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB ¿Cuáles son las cualidades de un buen pastor? El Salmo 23 los muestra bellamente: Él me conduce a los verdes y tranquilos pastos del cielo; allí seré refrescado y mi sed de Dios satisfecha; Él me guía por caminos seguros; Mi camino puede estar nublado por las tinieblas del mal, pero Él está a mi lado. el poder de Su … Continue reading Defiéndeme, oh Señor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The effort to live closer to God on earth and thus attain eternal salvation with Him in heaven begins with our decision to keep whatever is displeasing to God out of our lives. Hence, when Jesus began preaching, He did so by proclaiming, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near.” The desire to be holy, to live consistently in ways pleasing … Continue reading They Preached Repentance
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB El esfuerzo por vivir más cerca de Dios en la tierra y así alcanzar la salvación eterna con Él en el cielo comienza con nuestra decisión de mantener lo que le desagrada a Dios, fuera de nuestras vidas. Por lo tanto, cuando Jesús comenzó a predicar, lo hizo proclamando: “Arrepentíos, porque el Reino de Dios está cerca”. El deseo de … Continue reading Predicaban el Arrepentimiento
By Fr. Gustavo Martagon, SDB The first reading is a song of believing optimism: “God did not make death, nor does he delight in destroying the living” (Wis.). God is not the God of the dead but of the living. In this passage, God’s will to give “eternal” life, meaning a true and consistent one, is revealed to us… God has created us to enter … Continue reading Faith and Love Saved
Por P. Gustavo Martagon, SDB La primera lectura es un canto de optimismo creyente: “Dios no hizo la muerte ni goza destruyendo los vivientes” (Sab.): Dios no es Dios de muertos sino de vivos… Se nos revela aquí la voluntad de Dios de dar vida “eterna”, es decir, verdadera, consistente… Dios nos ha creado para que entremos en una relación vivificante con Él que empieza … Continue reading La Fey Y El Amor Salvan
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Que Ezequiel, profeta del exilio, sea también profeta de nuestro exilio, profeta de nuestro exilio aquí en la tierra. Señor, córtanos del árbol antiguo, Israel, e injertanos en Ti. Haznos crecer sobre montañas que se extienden hacia Ti. Que crezcamos hasta convertirnos en un árbol maravilloso, tu nuevo pueblo elegido que da la bienvenida a cada ave que pasa para que habite en sus ramas. Aunque tu vitalidad corra en nosotros, si alguna vez mostramos signos … Continue reading Poesía celestial
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB In our first reading on this 12th Sunday, God had intervened on behalf of Job. The divine message told this greatly troubled man not to waver in his faith, that God truly cared for him. To encourage Job, God recalled the origin, the birth, of earth and seas, how He set firm the boundaries of the seas and sent the dark … Continue reading Creator God
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Let Ezekiel prophet of the exile, be prophet of our exile too, prophet of our exile here on earth. Lord, trim us from the ancient tree, Israel, and graft us into You. Make us grow on mountains that reach toward You. May we grow into a wondrous tree, your new chosen people who welcome every passing bird to dwell on its … Continue reading Heavenly Poetry
Que Ezequiel, profeta del exilio, sea también profeta de nuestro exilio, profeta de nuestro exilio aquí en la tierra. Señor, córtanos del árbol antiguo, Israel, e injertanos en Ti. Haznos crecer sobre montañas que se extienden hacia Ti. Que crezcamos hasta convertirnos en un árbol maravilloso, tu nuevo pueblo elegido que da la bienvenida a cada ave que pasa para que habite en sus ramas. … Continue reading Poesía Celestial
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB In the third chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel, the enemies of Jesus are already named: the Scribes and Pharisees from olden days, and the devil, His enemy from time immemorial. The first reading from Genesis on this 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time identifies the devil by name, Satan, the enemy too of all humankind. Our primal parents looked to blame Satan for … Continue reading The Unforgivable Sin Jesus and Satan
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB En el tercer capítulo del Evangelio de San Marcos, ya se nombran los enemigos de Jesús: los escribas y fariseos de antaño, y el diablo, su enemigo desde tiempos inmemoriales. La primera lectura del Génesis en este décimo domingo del Tiempo Ordinario identifica al diablo por su nombre, Satanás, enemigo también de toda la humanidad. Nuestros padres primitivos buscaban culpar … Continue reading El pecado imperdonable Jesús y Satanás
By Father Ed Liptak, SDB “O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion.” That is the opening prayer of today’s Mass of Corpus Christi, the living Body of Christ. But not ‘just’’ a memorial. It is the ‘sacred mystery of His Body and Blood’ willed by Jesus to be offered again and again in unbloody sacrifice; His true Body lifted up to His Father for our continuing … Continue reading This Wonderous Sacrament
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB “Oh Dios, que en este maravilloso Sacramento nos has dejado un memorial de tu Pasión“. Esa es la oración inicial de la Misa de Corpus Christi de hoy, el Cuerpo vivo de Cristo. Pero no “sólo” un memorial. Es el “sagrado misterio de Su Cuerpo y Sangre” querido por Jesús para ser ofrecido una y otra vez en sacrificio incruento, … Continue reading Este Maravilloso Sacramento
Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The Father is God. The Son is God. The Spirit is God. There is only One God. Only Faith can say that. Our human capacity has identified the sameness by the word, God. What is different in the one God is so distinctly different that we have assigned different names to the one Being: God the Father, God the Son, God … Continue reading God is One!
Por F. Ed Liptak, SDB El Padre es Dios. El Hijo es Dios. El Espíritu es Dios. Solo hay un Dios. Solo la Fe puede decir eso. Nuestra capacidad humana ha identificado la cordura por la palabra Dios. Lo que es diferente en el único Dios es tan claramente diferente que hemos asignado diferentes nombres al único Ser: Dios Padre, Dios Hijo, Dios Espíritu Santo. … Continue reading ¡Dios es Uno!
By Fr. Ed. Liptak, SDB Just as details of the Ascension are best given in Acts, so it is for the coming of the Holy Spirit. In fact, though the Spirit is often mentioned in the Gospels and Letters, only in Acts, thanks to St. Luke, is the descent of the Spirit described. That seems totally appropriate, for he introduced the Spirit at the Incarnation, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and … Continue reading Come Holy Spirit
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Así como los detalles de la Ascensión se dan mejor en Hechos, así es para la venida del Espíritu Santo. De hecho, aunque el Espíritu se menciona a menudo en los Evangelios y en las Cartas, sólo en los Hechos, gracias a San Lucas, se describe el descenso del Espíritu. Eso parece totalmente apropiado, porque él introdujo al Espíritu en … Continue reading Ven Espíritu Santo
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Oddly enough, the best account of the Ascension is not in the Gospels but in St. Luke’s Acts of the Apostles. That is fine, because Luke thought of ‘Acts’ as Volume II of his history of Jesus and the Church. Therefore, he wrote, “After [Jesus] had suffered, He appeared to them during forty days speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting … Continue reading Thank you, St Luke – Solemnity of the Ascension
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Por extraño que parezca, el mejor relato de la Ascensión no está en los Evangelios, sino en los Hechos de los Apóstoles de San Lucas. Eso está bien, porque Lucas pensó en ‘Hechos’ como el Volumen II de su historia de Jesús y la Iglesia. Por lo tanto, escribió: “Después que [Jesús] hubo padecido, se les apareció durante cuarenta días … Continue reading Gracias San Lucas – Solemnidad de la Ascensión
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Peter, quite far from Jerusalem, had just worked two miracles in the Name of Jesus. He healed a man totally paralyzed for the past eight years. Called to another town on the coast, he raised a widow from the dead and restored her to her grieving community. Lingering there, God sent a vision to teach Peter that he must change … Continue reading Impelled by Love
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Pedro, muy lejos de Jerusalén, acababa de obrar dos milagros en el Nombre de Jesús. Sanó a un hombre totalmente paralizado durante los últimos ocho años. Llamado a otro pueblo de la costa, resucitó a una viuda de entre los muertos y la devolvió a su afligida comunidad. Permaneciendo allí, Dios envió una visión para enseñarle a Pedro que debía … Continue reading Impulsados por el Amor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB It seems wise on this fifth Sunday of Easter to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through careful reflection on the source of our spiritual life as presented by Jesus Himself. The Gospel of John reveals what Jesus taught about true Christian life at the end of the Last Supper. Jesus was in open dialogue with his apostles and … Continue reading Alive in Jesus
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Parece prudente en este quinto domingo de Pascua permitir que el Espíritu Santo nos guíe a través de una cuidadosa reflexión sobre la fuente de nuestra vida espiritual tal como la presenta Jesús mismo. El Evangelio de Juan revela lo que Jesús enseñó sobre la verdadera vida cristiana al final de la Última Cena. Jesús estaba en diálogo abierto con … Continue reading Vivos en Jesús
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB In St. John’s Gospel, as Jesus turned toward Jerusalem, aware that his ‘hour’ had come, Our Savior also turned toward His Father and prayed, “Father, glorify Your name. Then a voice came from heaven. I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again” (Jn 12:29). Later, at the Last Supper, Jesus was about to offer His “Priestly Prayer,” and He sought … Continue reading Alleluia, Sing to Jesus!
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB With boldness, St. Peter filled with the Holy Spirit spoke to the crowd and accused them bluntly, “You denied the Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be released to you. The author of life you put to death, but God raised Him from the dead.” Thus, Peter atoned for his sin of denying Jesus. And thus, the Easter Church … Continue reading Jesus, Author of Life
Per P. Ed Liptak, SDB Con audacia, San Pedro, lleno del Espíritu Santo, habló a la multitud y los acusó sin rodeos: “Ustedes negaron al Justo y pidieron que se les liberara a un asesino. Al autor de la vida le hiciste morir, pero Dios lo resucitó de entre los muertos”. Por lo tanto, Pedro expió su pecado de negar a Jesús. Y así, la … Continue reading Jesús, Autor de la Vida
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB It takes a sinner–or person extremely aware of the darkness of sin–to fully grasp the mercy of God. St. Augustine, still young, was muddied in grave sin. When at last converted, he wrote, “O Beauty, ever ancient, ever new, too late have I loved you.” That was not exactly true. The God of whom he spoke was and is a … Continue reading God of Light, Life, Love
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Se necesita un pecador, o una persona extremadamente consciente de la oscuridad del pecado, para comprender plenamente la misericordia de Dios. San Agustín, aún joven, estaba sumido en un grave pecado. Cuando por fin se convirtió, escribió: “Oh Belleza, siempre antigua, siempre nueva, demasiado tarde te he amado”. Eso no era exactamente cierto. El Dios de quien habló era y … Continue reading Dios de la Luz, de la Vida, del Amor
By P. Ed Liptak, SDB Por la noche, en el Jardín de la Agonía, Jesús fue arrestado a manos de los principales sacerdotes y ancianos guiados por el traicionero Judas. Ese arresto injusto llevó a Jesús a la humillación, el sufrimiento y la muerte en la cruz. Y allí, en la oscuridad del Huerto, Jesús declaró una terrible verdad: Cuando yo estaba con vosotros todos … Continue reading De la oscuridad a la luz
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB At night in the Garden of Agony, Jesus was arrested at the hands of the Chief Priests and Elders guided by treacherous Judas. That unjust arrest brought Jesus to humiliation, suffering, and death on the Cross. And there in the gloom of the Garden, Jesus stated an awful truth: “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did … Continue reading From Darkness to Light
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Who were involved in the Passion and Death of Jesus the Lord? Largely from St. Mark’s Gospel on this Palm Sunday, one can identify people both friendly and unfriendly to the Son of God at the sad climax of our salvation. First mentioned by Mark are the chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders who were searching to find grounds on which … Continue reading People of the Passion
by P. Ed Liptak, SDB ¿Quiénes estuvieron involucrados en la Pasión y Muerte de Jesús el Señor? En gran parte del Evangelio de San Marcos en este Domingo de Ramos, uno puede identificar a las personas tanto amistosas como hostiles al Hijo de Dios en el triste clímax de nuestra salvación. Lo primero que menciona Marcos son los principales sacerdotes, escribas y ancianos que buscaban … Continue reading Gente de la Pasión
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB and William. Liptak Como suele suceder, el salmo responsorial de este fin de semana toca el tema de las otras lecturas dominicales. Este quinto domingo de Cuaresma, la idea clave es obtener de Dios su perdón. “Señor, a pesar de nuestra pecaminosidad, en tu bondad límpianos. Escucha a cada uno de nosotros mientras con la ayuda del Salmo repetimos: Crea … Continue reading Purificame Señor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB and William (Bill) Liptak As is often the case, the Responsorial Psalm this weekend touches on the theme of the other Sunday readings. On this fifth Sunday of Lent, the key idea is obtaining from God His forgiveness. Lord, despite our sinfulness, in your goodness, do cleanse us. Hear each of us as, with the help of the Psalm, we … Continue reading Cleanse Me O Lord
Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The two Books of Chronicles concentrate on the Hebrews’ relationship with God from Adam and Eve to the release of the leaders of the Jewish faith from Babylonian captivity. Chronicles are a purposeful religious history. On this 4th Sunday of Lent, together with St. Paul to the Ephesians and St. John’s Gospel, Chronicles carries the Lenten message that infidelity to God … Continue reading God Rich in Mercy
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Los dos libros de Crónicas se concentran en la relación de los hebreos con Dios desde Adán y Eva hasta la liberación de los líderes de la fe judía del cautiverio babilónico. Las crónicas son una historia religiosa con propósito. En este 4º domingo de Cuaresma, junto con San Pablo a los Efesios y el Evangelio de San Juan, Crónicas … Continue reading Dios Rico en Misericordia
Por P. Ed Liptak, SDB Para algunos los 10 mandamientos en tablas de piedra eran suficientes. Ofrecían una carga demasiado difícil de seguir, que era mejor olvidar. Sin embargo, para que no lo olvidemos, Moisés añadió una versión muy detallada en Éxodo. No creía que las directivas de Dios fueran gravosas. A través del desierto, día y noche, Dios había guiado a Israel hacia su … Continue reading Escoge: Miedo o Amor
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB For some, the 10 Commandments on tablets of stone were quite enough. They offered a burden too hard to follow, better to be forgotten. Yet, lest we forget, Moses added a greatly detailed version in Exodus. He did not think God’s directives were burdensome. Through the desert day and night, God had led Israel toward their haven by the cloud … Continue reading Choose: Fear or Love
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Nuestros antepasados cristianos detectaron inmediatamente en la desgarradora escena del Génesis del segundo domingo de Cuaresma, un paralelo con Dios y su amado Hijo unigénito, no en el monte Moriah sino en el monte Calvario. Génesis fue, en muchos sentidos, profético. Dios y Abraham acompañaron a sus hijos unigénitos al altar del sacrificio. Así como Isaac cargó obedientemente el madero … Continue reading Abraham, Issac y Jesus
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Our Christian forefathers immediately detected in the second Sunday of Lent’s heart-wrenching scene from Genesis, a parallel with God and his beloved only begotten Son, not on Mt. Moriah but on Mount Calvary. Genesis was, in many ways, prophetic. God and Abraham accompanied their only begotten sons to the altar of sacrifice. As Isaac obediently carried the wood for the … Continue reading Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus
By. Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Typically, the reading from Genesis this first Sunday of Lent gives a divine meaning to one of nature’s beautiful signs, the rainbow. The great flood had passed. After the rains had ceased, the comforting multicolored rainbow was used by God as a sign of a new covenant between Himself and humanity. A flood of that magnitude would never cover the … Continue reading Led By the Lord Jesus
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The readings of Sixth Sunday, it seems, are an extended parable. Moses and Aaron detail the strict law on how a leper must be treated. He is to be declared unclean by a priest. When approaching the ‘clean,’ he must shout out. “Unclean! Unclean!” He must rend his outer garments as a danger sign to others. Worst, he must keep isolated. There … Continue reading Unclean Made Clean
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Las lecturas del sexto domingo, al parecer, son una parábola ampliada. Moisés y Aarón detallan la estricta ley sobre cómo se debe tratar a un leproso. Un sacerdote debe declararlo inmundo. Al acercarse al “limpio”, debe gritar. “¡Inmundo! ¡Inmundo!” Debe rasgar sus vestiduras exteriores como señal de peligro para los demás. Lo peor es que debe mantenerse aislado. Sólo hay … Continue reading Inmundo hecho limpio
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Our Scriptures this 5th Sunday open with Job’s dark and miserable view of life. He was smitten by illness and abandonment. He felt every painful, forsaken moment. No healing was in sight. “I shall never see happiness again.“ — By the way, when was the last time you had a perfect day? Isn’t it true that we all left our mother’s womb … Continue reading Jesus Lord and Savior
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Nuestras Escrituras de este quinto domingo comienzan con la visión oscura y miserable de la vida de Job. Estaba azotado por la enfermedad y el abandono. Sintió cada momento doloroso y de abandono. No había curación a la vista. “Nunca volveré a ver la felicidad”. — Por cierto, ¿cuándo fue la última vez que tuviste un día perfecto? ¿No es … Continue reading Jesús Señor y Salvador
By Fr. Ed Lipton, SDB Our Scriptures this fourth Sunday open with the ancient promise of God made to Moses that a prophet like him would rise one day among them and how God would speak through him. Yearning for the fulfillment of that prophecy never died. It grew again with the preaching of John the Baptist and was behind the question of the scribes … Continue reading Faith Needs to Grow
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Nuestras Escrituras de este cuarto domingo comienzan con la antigua promesa que Dios le hizo a Moisés de que un profeta como él se levantaría un día entre ellos y que Dios hablaría a través de él. El anhelo por el cumplimiento de esa profecía nunca murió. Volvió a crecer con la predicación de Juan el Bautista y estuvo detrás … Continue reading La Fe Necesita Crecer
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB The Scriptures on this Third Sunday in different ways show that the things of this world are passing, but instead, that following God’s will has immense and immortal value. It leads to eternal life. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrians, mortal enemies of Israel. Jonah, the reluctant prophet, did everything he could to escape God’s plan to warn them. … Continue reading What Really Matters
by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB Las Escrituras de este Tercer Domingo muestran de diferentes maneras que las cosas de este mundo son pasajeras, pero en cambio, que seguir la voluntad de Dios tiene un valor inmenso e inmortal. Conduce a la vida eterna. Nínive era la capital de los Asirios, enemigos mortales de Israel. Jonás, el profeta reacio, hizo todo lo que pudo para escapar … Continue reading Lo que realmente importa
By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB La Navidad está a pocos días de distancia, y las lecturas del cuarto domingo de Adviento son claras sobre quién es este Niño que está por nacer. La Antífona de Entrada habla de Él como Dios, el Justo, el Salvador, el Mesías. La lectura del Antiguo Testamento establece para nosotros que Jesús es verdaderamente de la descendencia de David, que … Continue reading Quién es Jesús
