Eternal God,

I am used to listening for kind and gentle words from you.

But today - 

 +"whoever does not carry the cross..."

 +"unless you give up all your possessions..."

 +"the wicked will not stand, the way of the wicked will perish..."

 +"I am the potter shaping evil against you..."

I would like to think I can somehow get around these words, but

 +"you have searched me and known me."

Dear God, 

"there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."(1)

Help me clear away the clouds of my life

and let the light of your love shine in more brightly,

and may I find the strength to choose life. 

 

(1) Leonard Cohen

(2) and here is bonus link to the work of icon artist Kelly Latimore, in particular

    Our Lady Protectress of the Most Vulnerable