Prayer for 3rd Sunday of Lent

O God, my deliverer and redeemer,
I listen in silence for Your word
while my heart longs to hear Your voice.
As we walk these forty days
through this barren dessert of Lent
let my ears and heart be ever open
to what You have to say.

Let me rely only on Your presence
to comfort me, Your wisdom
to guide me, and Your mercy
to sustain me on my way to You.

O purify my thoughts and desires
that I might think only of You
and desire only to do Your Will
all the days of my life
till I meet You face to face
and rejoice with my brothers and sisters forever.

Amen.

~ Father Joseph R. Veneroso, M.M.

​

At Your baptism, Lord Jesus,
the Holy Spirit set Your heart ablaze
with love for sinners, the poor,
the oppressed, and those on the margins
of society, the church, or perhaps even
our friends and family.

Make our relationships healthy and holy
through Your spirit of reconciliation.
Give us the courage and humility
to ask “May I...?”
the strength to say “I’m sorry”
and the wisdom to say “Thank you”
to all people through whom
You bless and fill my life.

May my baptism compel me
to cross every border,
to travel any distance, great or small,
to leave the comfort of this world
to seek, find, and share with all
Your gospel of peace, mercy and truth.

Amen.

~ Father Joseph R. Veneroso, M.M.

At Your baptism, Lord Jesus,
the Holy Spirit set Your heart ablaze
with love for sinners, the poor,
the oppressed, and those on the margins
of society, the church, or perhaps even
our friends and family.

Make our relationships healthy and holy
through Your spirit of reconciliation.
Give us the courage and humility
to ask “May I...?”
the strength to say “I’m sorry”
and the wisdom to say “Thank you”
to all people through whom
You bless and fill my life.

May my baptism compel me
to cross every border,
to travel any distance, great or small,
to leave the comfort of this world
to seek, find, and share with all
Your gospel of peace, mercy and truth.

Amen.

~ Father Joseph R. Veneroso, M.M.