The soul thus "stripped" of self and "clothed" in Jesus Christ has nothing more to fear from exterior encounters or from interior difficulties, for these things, far from being an obstacle, serve only "to root it more deeply in the love" of its Master. -  Elizabeth of the Trinity

Lord God, our Father,

you have announced also to us today

that your Son came among us

to be our life and joy.

He has been with us

as your living Word and our bread of life.

May we grow in his life

and, like Mary, by his word bring a message

of liberation and happiness

to those in search of life and meaning.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Faith must be your shield on all occasions, and with it you will be able to quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one: there can be no pleasing God without faith; and the victory lies in this - your faith. Carmelite Rule - 19

¹⁴ Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

¹⁵ Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

¹⁶ Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

¹⁷ And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

(Psalm 69:14-17)