Lord Jesus, You fasted 40 days
in the wilderness to prepare for
Your struggle with evil in the world.
Help us to fast from everything that
dulls our minds to Your truth
or fills our hearts with anything less
than Your love and grace.

Help us, Lord, to live by every word
that comes from the mouth of God.
Give us the strength to resist
the temptations of this world
and overcome the addiction to power,
privilege or prestige

May we use our gifts and talents
as you did, Lord, not for our own
glory but rather to help our sisters and brothers
for whom life has become a burden.

May the food we eat, by Your grace,

give us strength sufficient to pick up
our cross and follow You.

Amen. 

Father Joseph R. Veneroso, M.M.