Daily Reflection with Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes



Dear Friends: Praying is not easy. Our daily routine calls for our full attention. And the world around us puts little value on prayer; our lives are full of material things but at the same time are getting emptier in God’s value.

For this reason, I will post a daily reflection and as you visit this site may the Holy Spirit within you come to your aid and guide you gently to the God who loves you
.


Monday, July 26, 2021

BEAUTY TIPS

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes
, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure
, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed,
revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.
May God Bless you always!!!!
Descubriendo el Siglo 21
Discovering 21century
Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes
P. O. BOX 1170
New York, NY 10018
(212) 244 4778

Monday, July 19, 2021

Give Your Life To Jesus

When Jesus comes into your life,
and dwells within your heart,
You'll never be the same again,
and that's the greatest part.
For man is weak and sinful,
and he struggles to survive,
But when Jesus isn't in his life,
he's only just alive.

Material wealth is not enough,
this he'll find is true,
The reason he'll not understand,
and he'll know not what to do.

For happiness and peace of mind,
are elusive as the breeze,
His heart and soul are restless,
like the ever endless seas.

But Jesus is the savior
of man's sick and troubled soul,
And He can take a broken life,
and make it new and whole.

So give your life to Jesus,
let Him cleanse your heart and soul,
And eternal life in heaven
will be your life's new goal.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21
Discovering 21century
Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes
P. O. BOX 1170
New York, NY 10018
(212) 244 4778

Monday, July 12, 2021

COME AS YOU ARE

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here
I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and I had finally decided to see what this place was all about.
But, this just couldn't be the right place. 
Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. 
I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required," and found the location. 
Yes, I was at the right place.
I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.  
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. 
I was dirty, in fact, filthy. 
A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. 
As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me...
"Come as you are. No jacket required."
I decided to give it a shot. 
Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. 
 "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Jimmy D. Brown,"
I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. 
Would you like to be seated?" I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course!"
He lead me to a table, and sure enough, there was a place-card with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. 
There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." 
I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was at... "God's Grace," was the name of this place.
The man returned and said,
"
I recommend the 'Special of the Day'. 
With it you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu."
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this?! 
"What is the 'Special of the Day'?"
I asked with excitement ringing in my voice.
 "Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take it,"
I practically cried out. 
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. 
A sick painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. 
Between my sobs I said... "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. 
I am unclean and unworthy of such things. 
I'd love to have all of this, but, but, I just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again.  
"Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said as he pointed to the front of the room.  
"His name is Jesus." Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. 
He was almost too much to look at.  
I found myself walking towards Him and in a shaking voice I whispered, 
 "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay You for all this."
 He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."  
Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. 
Please change me and sit me at your table and give me this new life."  
Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished." 
I looked down and white robes adorned my body. 
Something strange and wonderful had happened. 
I felt new, like a weight had been lifted and I found myself seated at His table.
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," The Lord said to me.  
"Salvation is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. 
He told me, me of all people, that He would like for me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. 
He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Son, I am with you always." 
And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said...
"My child, do you see these empty tables?" "Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are reserved tables...but the individuals whose names are on each place-card have not accepted their invitation yet. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us as yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course,"
I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.  
"Go ye therefore into all nations." He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man...robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word.
I'll share the Gospel... I'll hand out the invitations. And I'll start with you. Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your invitation...
"Come as you are. No jacket required."- AUTHOR UNKNOWN -

Descubriendo el Siglo 21
Discovering 21century
Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes
P. O. BOX 1170
New York, NY 10018
(212) 244 4778

Monday, July 5, 2021

This world is yours

This world is yours, planned in eternity
created in a moment of sheer exuberance permeated with love
well made This place is yours, in its simplicity
blue sky and countryside, pure creativity
painted with care well made 
This day is yours, pure generosity
given for moments of gentle reflection
in the bustle of a day well made
This moment is yours in its entirety
a drop of time in an ocean of history
gifted with joy well made There is glory
within each sunrise, Lord a warm effusion of praise
reaching upwards and out connecting earth
with heaven creator with created
Shafts of sunlight arms outstretched in worship
encourage participation from those who watch
and wonder at the beauty of it all.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21
Discovering 21century
Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes
P. O. BOX 1170
New York, NY 10018
(212) 244 4778