The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law and four year old grandson. 
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.


The family ate together at the table, but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. 
Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. 
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. 
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 
"We must do something about grandfather," said the son. 
"I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. 
There Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he sometimes had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. 
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. 
The four year old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. 
He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" 
Just as sweetly the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Momma to eat your food from when I grow up." 
The four year old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. 
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. 
Though no words were spoken, both knew what must be done. 
That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. 
And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.


Children are remarkably perceptive. 
Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the message they absorb. 
If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. 
The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let us be wise builders.
- Author Unknown -

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Lord, I have Doubts

Gracious God, I feel so uncertain, so unsure.
I want to trust that you are real and present, that you are acting on my behalf, that you hear and will answer my prayers.
Yet, my confidence is spent, my faith flat. 
You speak in my heart and tell me to seek your face, and I am seeking -- longing for the sureness of your presence, the touch of your breath, the warmth of your love.
In my doubt, O God, let your Spirit hover over me with the gentleness of angel’s wings, until I am opened to faith and once again recognize the pattern of your face.
I ask this for the sake of your love. 
Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

My Neighbor, my family?

When I talk of neighbor I mean the family next door
whom I might or might not get on with.
When you talk of neighbor you extend our neighborhood
to the whole world to all kinds of people
the old, the young the good and the bad
those from different social or ethnic groups.
I see them on my TV screen and just know
that I could not get on with them
if they happened to move in next door.
But then, that is your challenge to us, isn't it? 

To do as you did.
To extend the hand of love unconditionally
no strings or prejudice attached.
I can't do that Lord it is not in my nature.
But I am convinced that you can do it through me.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Lean On Me

Me As the road ahead seems rugged and the path is getting steep, 
I feel that I can't make it so my heart begins to weep. 
Then I turn to see who's coming to join me on my way. 
I see it is my Lord and He slowly turns to say, "Lean on me..... when you have no strength to stand. 
When you feel you're going under, hold tighter to my hand.
Lean on me...... when your heart begins to bleed. 
When you know I'm all you have, then you'll find I'm all you need." Then when I felt that no one cared if I lived or died, and no one bothered asking why I'd go alone to cry. 
When the burden got so heavy I could barely face the day, I felt His arms around me as I gently heard Him say, "Lean on me...... when you have no strength to stand. When you feel you're going under, hold tighter to my hand.
Lean on me...... when your heart begins to bleed. 
When you come to know I'm all you have, then you'll find I'm all you need.
Author Unknown~


Rev. Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes
Discovering 21 Century
P. O. BOX 1170New York, NY 10018
Radiosigloxxi@aol.com

Office Tel- 212-244-4778

YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE

I said, " The path is steep."

He said, " I'm at your side."
I said, "But I am weak."
He said, "For you I died."
I said, "Dark valleys come."
He said, "I'll guide you through."
I said, "But I'm not brave."
He said, "I'll walk with you."
I said, "Be light to me,
And strength as I go on."
He said, "I'm more. I'm love,
You'll never walk alone."
~Author Unknown~~

Father Tomas Del Valle-Reyes
Discovering 21 Century
P. O. BOX 1170New York, NY 10018
212-244-4778
Radiosigloxxi@aol.com

The Apostles creed

"Our Father" - God wants us to approach Him as "Daddy" (Aramaic: Abba). 
He wants to take care of us and protect us. God desires intimacy. 
Remember, He has infinite love and grace. 
God wants us to be secure in His family as adopted children and heirs.


"Who Art in Heaven" -- Look up to God. Obey Him and Love Him and Trust Him. 
He is all-powerful and can deal with all our problems, even the big ones. But He loves us so much that He doesn't stay up there.

"Hallowed be Thy Name" -- Holy, holy, holy. Approach God with awe and wonder. Save the word "awesome" for God. Live a life that honors Him.


"Thy Kingdom Come" - "Take this job and love it!"  Working on behalf of God's kingdom is the ultimate joy.  Bloom where you're planted. Do everything as unto the Lord. Find your gifts and use them.
Be open to God's leading each day.

"Thy Will Be Done" - God is the potter; we are the clay. God keeps us spinning on His potter's wheel, shaping and reshaping us as He bathes our lives in tears to make us more Christ-like so He can use us for His will. Surrender daily. Keep your clay moist through daily prayer.


"On Earth as it is in Heaven" -- Thy will be done - not my will be done!


"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" - Trust! God will provide for our needs. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me.


"Forgive Us Our Debts as We Forgive Our Debtors" -- Forgiveness = Surrender. Don't carry your own backpack - surrender it to Him. 
Revealing the feeling is the beginning of healing. 
Act as if you have forgiven and the feeling will follow. 
In our weakness, God sends His strength and peace..
"Lead Us Not Into Temptation" - Watch for unrecognized temptation. 
Pray, so you won't fall. We are tempted every day. 
It deepens our walk and strengthens our faith - but be careful of spiritual blindness. Open my eyes, Lord, to my blind spots - use honest friends and family
"Deliver Us From Evil" -- The evil One, satan. 
We are saved from death to life. 
Jesus is more powerful than Satan - God is greater!


"For Thine Is the Kingdom (obedience), and the Power (confidence) and the Glory (joy), Forever" -- This is our Father's world. 
Everything we have is His. He is the ruler!

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Almighty Father

Almighty Father, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. 
Guide me with your wisdom, in every hour of the day reveal your spirit to me.
 Bless my dealings with all who encircle me. 
Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm assurance that your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. 
In unpredictably events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. 
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. 
Give me strength to bear the exhaustion of the coming day with all that it shall bring. 
Direct my will, teach me to pray, and be humble to others and you. 
 Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/