A Thief In The House

A horrible thing happened to me today..... a thief broke into my house.

It happened shortly after I awoke this morning.
 I got up and began rushing about.
 I had a thousand things on my list and was already running behind.
Quickly, I gulped down breakfast, took a shower and
got ready for work.
In my rush, I forgot to turn the security system on at my house.
 It was just about a half an hour later that the thief broke in.
 Of course, he didn't make a sound.
Just kind of snuck inside, not drawing any attention to himself.
In fact, none of the neighbors ever saw him.
But, I did.
You see, I WAS HOME when the thief broke in.

 He naturally startled me, as I was unprepared for his visit.
He, of course, didn't announce that he was coming
and I certainly had not invited him over.
And yet, I found myself face to face with danger and I felt so powerless.
 I also felt so very stupid, because this whole incident could have been avoided if I had just taken the time to turn the security system on.
You better believe I'll be turning it on tomorrow morning!
I thought I'd warn you about this guy, because he's still on the loose.
Chances are, he's in your area.
 Possibly even headed for your house.

His name? His name is Satan. You see, this morning when I jumped up in my
haste to get started on my busy day, I skipped my prayer time - opting to "pray later today."
 In other words, I DIDN'T TURN ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM.
My defense wasn't on, my guard was dropped... ..and when the thief came into my home to attack me, I was unprepared to do battle. 
He tempted me and I felt powerless.
 Like I said, I also felt so very stupid, because I could have avoided the incident if I had just taken the time to pray.
My friend, the thief has come to "steal, kill and destroy." 
 And, as a Child of God, you are on his "hit list." 

 He'll probably pop over to your house today. He may be lurking outside your door right now, just waiting to catch you off guard.
Take time to pray this morning.
 Bind Satan from your very presence, to protect you and empower you to do battle. In short... ...don't forget to turn your security system on.
Author Unknown.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

Lord, Give me Hope

Dear Lord God, my heavenly Father, I beg you to grant me the gift of hope. 
My life is dark and full of sorrow. 
There seems nothing to look forward to but sadness.
Show me that life has duties and many pleasures still waiting for me. 
Revive within me the desire to live.

Plant hope in my heart, that despair may vanish as the dew before the sun. 
I know all good things come from you, and you have promised to give them to your children who try to serve you.

Let the hope of happiness in the world, come to brighten my way.

I ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

Creator of all...

Creator of all
Sustainer of all
Savior of all
your glory and majesty
are beyond our understanding
your power too awesome to behold
And yet your love enfolds us as a gentle breeze
Savior of all
Sustainer of all
Creator of all
We bless your holy name
How can we praise you
In life’s ordinary moments bus, car or train,
pedestrian moments, at home and employment
with all those distractions How can we praise you?
How can we praise you when time is so precious
appointments and targets distracting our focus
muddying waters 

made clean for your purpose
How can we praise you?
How can we praise you?
Through all of our actions a smile and a greeting
a shoulder to lean on a word in due season
love and compassion in all situations
Yours, Lord is the Glory
in everything I see a country scene
mountain stream sunrise, sunset, rain and snow
Yours, Lord is the Glory
wherever I might go
Yours, Lord is the Glory
in everything I hear
a roaring sea bumblebee
laughter, loving, a tender poem
Yours, Lord is the Glory
wherever I might go
Yours, Lord is the Glory
in everything I feel
a special place
warm embrace
accepted, helped to become whole
Jesus
I am not a poet or musician
but I have written a song of praise
in my heart And in the quietness
of this moment
I shall share it with you
in the certain knowledge
that any imperfections
will be made perfect
in the simple act
of opening my heart
and singing.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

TOUCH ME LORD

Touch me, Lord, and let me hear-
The hurt in others' voices,
Touch me, Lord, and help me see
To make the better choices.

Touch me, Lord, whisper to me
That I may face tomorrow.
Touch me, Lord, that I might help
Someone in deepest sorrow.

Touch me, Lord, show me the way,
That I may help all others
Touch me, Lord, to do thy will,
And always love my brothers.

Touch me, Lord, let me live
A life that's worth living.
Touch me, Lord, teach me to praise
And let me be forgiving.

Touch me, Lord, let me obey,
Honor You by how I Live.
Touch me, Lord, please make me whole
Let me, please, be quick to give.

Touch me, Lord, please let me feel,
compassion for all mankind,
Touch me, Lord, let me obey.
Never let this slip my mind.

Touch me, Lord, for You are wise,
Let Your wisdom take control
Touch me Lord, and take away,
All my sins and make me whole.

Your servant, Lord, I would be.
Touch me, Lord, let your spirit,
Always be alive in me.

Touch me, Lord, and draw me near,
And cradle me in Your love.
Touch me, Lord, while I am here,
Lead me to my home above.

Touch me, Lord, that I won’t hurt,
The very ones I love most.
Touch me, Lord, with the power-
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

I Pray for Endurance

AlmightyGod, who has given me the wish to do right and helped me to do your service, strengthen me to persevere. 
Give me the endurance to serve you, and perform my duties.
When I am weary in well-doing, remind me that the ways of sin are pathways to destruction. Do not let me, in a moment of weakness, lose all that I have gained.

In the darkness of discouragement, give me the light of your presence. 
Help me to endure as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
You have said that whoever endures to the end, shall be saved. 
Do not let me fall from your grace.
I ask for Jesus' sake.
Amen.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

Prayer for Forgiveness

Today, Creator, grant me the courage and the will to forgive the people I love the most.  
Help me to forgive every injustice I feel in my mind, and to love other people unconditionally.
I know the only way to heal all the pain in my heart is through forgiveness.
Today, Creator, strengthen my will to forgive anyone who has hurt me, even if I believe the offense is unforgivable. 
I know that forgiveness is an act of self-love. 
Help me to love myself so much that I forgive every offense. 
Let me choose forgiveness because I don’t want to suffer every time I remember the offense.
Today, Creator, help me to heal all the guilt in my heart by accepting the forgiveness of everyone I have hurt in my life. 
Help me to sincerely recognize the mistakes I have made out of ignorance, and give me the wisdom and determination to refrain from making the same mistakes. 
I know that love and forgiveness will transform every relationship in the most positive way.
Thank you, Creator, for giving me the capacity to love and forgive. 
Today I open my heart to love and forgiveness, so that I can share my love without fear. 
Today I will enjoy a reunion with the people I love most. Amen.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

UGLY THE TOMCAT

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was.  
Ugly was the resident tomcat.
Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and, shall we say, love. 
The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. 
To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been, there was a hole. 
He was also missing his ear on the same side. 
His left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.
Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders. 
Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!!
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction.
If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet in forgiveness."

Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. 
If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's dogs. 
They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled.
I tried to rush to his aid. 
By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.
As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. 
It must be hurting him terribly, I thought. 
Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear. 
Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.
Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion. 
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen.
Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. 
Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.
Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. 
He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply -- to give my total to those I cared for.
Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, and beautiful -- except for me. I will always try to be Ugly. 
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN -

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Discovering 21 Century /Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778