Where I live in..

This world I live in
this town I live in 
this street I live in
this house I live in
may each be the focus of my prayer
Those I live with
those I rub shoulders with
those I work with
those I don't get on with
may each be the focus of my prayer
Those who laugh those who cry those who hurt
those who hide may each be the focus of my prayer
Prayers centered less on self and more on others
less on my circumstances
more on the needs of others.
May my life be likewise centered
less on self and more on You
and through You to the world
in which I live and move.
Within the circle of my family and friends
May I be a source of peace
a hand to hold accessible
generous loving A blessing Within the circle of my acquaintances
May I be a steady rock a ready shoulder dependable
trustworthy caring A blessing Within the circle of my community
May I be a light that shines a love that flows
discernible accessible healing
A blessing

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Discovering 21 Century /Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

A Prayer for Work

Eternal and everlasting God, who has ordained that all should work for their daily bread, show me the work that you have appointed for me.

You know the things that I need. Help me find the honest task that will allow me to get them.

Let me not despise my work, even if it be small. Help me to do it so well, that it may please you, and, that I may obtain a better one.

I am part of your great world that you have made. Give me a place in its work, that I may have enough for my own needs and the needs of those who depend on me. Give me grace to be able to help others who have less.

Please Dear God, hear my prayer.
Amen.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Discovering 21 Century /Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778

HEBREWS 12:5 Through 11

Some people have a hard time even thinking
of God  as "Father" because of the horrible
abuse they suffered
from their earthly fathers' hands. 
But God is a Father who never abuses
His children, although He does punish them.
He chastens those whom He loves.
It is wise for the child of God to fear the corrective wrath of the Father.
I loved my earthly father deeply.

In fact, I idolized him. I was secure in his love as
he was constant in showing affection for me.
I feared him in the sense that I didn't want to disappoint him
or let him down. 
I had the "fear" of respect for him.
But I also feared his wrath and discipline.
Even though, in general, I didn't want to disappoint him
or grieve him, nevertheless I often disobeyed him.
That meant facing his discipline.
When my father disciplined me he always announced
it to me by saying, "Son, we have to have a session." 
That meant I had to follow him into his office,

close the door behind me, and sit in a chair in front of him.
He wouldn't raise his voice.
He would calmly tell me what I did wrong and why it was wrong.
He instructed me in such a way that I was devastated.
He always ended the session with a warm embrace.
But talk about the conviction of sin...whew!
Are you able to accept correction from your Heavenly Father? 
Do you respond to it properly? 
Pray about this.
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that
 addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the 

Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
 Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and
peace for those who have been trained by it.

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/

I DID NOT KNOW HIS LOVE BEFORE

I did not know His love before,
The way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him,
My pride would not allow.

I had it all, without a care,
The "self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still,
Not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark,
The storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship,
I found I had no hold.
The ship that I had built myself
Was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare,
With nowhere else to hide
I had no strength or faith to face
The trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply spoke His name
And bowed my weary head.
His loving arms enveloped me,

And then He helped me stand.

He said, "You still must face this storm,

But I will hold your hand."

So through the dark and lonely night

He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day
Or when I'd smile again.
Yet through the pain and endless tears,
My faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,
But my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in a brand new light,
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
Could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered why.
At times I thought, "I can't go on."
I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But God never left my side
He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way.


And now I see as never before
How great His love can be
How in my weakness He is strong,
How God cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good,
Although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear,
And then He said, "Enough!"
He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy
And flooded me with peace.

I saw His face now clearer still,

I felt His presence strong,

I found anew His faithfulness,

He never did me wrong.

And now I know more storms will come,
But only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow
As nothing ever could.
I still have so much more to learn
As God works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more,
That's where I want to be!
Author Unknown But To God

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/

Thank you !!!

Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship
for the freedom to be amongst your family
meeting together in your house
and in the warmth of your embrace
Thank you those in worship we can put aside
the uncertainties of this world and rest
upon the certainties of the Kingdom
for your promises are not changeable
as those of a politician might be
but immovable and eternal
Thank you that we can bring to your feet
all the hurts and fears that trouble us
and leave them there
knowing that your strength and assurance
are all that we require
Thank you that as we draw near in worship
we are transported
from a world of concerns and fears
to a place where we can be at peace in your presence
find healing, wholeness and refreshment.
Thank you Lord God for the opportunity of worship

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/

Blessed are...

Blessed are they who give
without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.

Blessed are they who translate
every good thing they know into action,
for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.

Blessed are they who do God's will
without asking to see results,
for great shall be their recompense.

Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and
receive a loving response.

Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know
that not the garment of clay but that which activates
the garment of clay is real and indestructible.

Blessed are they who see the change we call death
as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life,
for they shall rejoice with their loved ones
who make the glorious transition.

Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives
and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith
to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead,
for they shall receive a second blessing.

Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace,
for they shall find it.

Blessed are they who instead of trying to
batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven
approach them humbly and lovingly and purified,
for they shall pass right through.

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/

You are Perfect, My Lord

We can never match
your perfection, Lord
Try as we might
we stumble and fall
grasping for that
which we feel is
unobtainable
We are nothing
if not consistent
in our falling
from your grace
For you are perfect love
and we most certainly are not
Perfect love casts out fear
and we are fearful
fearful
of the unknown
fearful
of failure
'Son, I never ask
for the impossible
I never set a goal
that cannot be reached,
a mountain that cannot be climbed
even by those of a nervous disposition.
All I ask is that you come to me as you are
at this moment in time
and accept me as I AM.
There is no part of you
that cannot be made clean
renewed, restored.
I will never stumble, I always
hold out your hand instead.
That's not too much to ask
is it?

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/