"Words of life - on the margin of the Missal" by D. Columba Marmion Abbot of Maredsous

Thursday of the First Week of Lent - The soul who lives by faith becomes the object of the Divine complacency

When we read the account of Our Lord's life in the Gospel, we see it is first of all faith that He requires from those who come to Him. Faith is so pleasing to Jesus that it even obtains from Him what appeared not to be His first intention to grant. We have a striking example of this in the cure besought by the woman of Canaan (cf. Gospel of the Mass). Jesus is so touched by her faith that He cannot refrain from extolling it, and immediately granting her what she asks: "O woman, great is thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt."
From 'Christ the Life of the Soul', p.134

Nothing is more pleasing to God than unshaken faith and confidence in the midst of darkness. It is the property of those whom God calls to union, to more intimate familiarity with Himself, to persist in hoping in Him in spite of every appearance which might tend to make them doubt the Divine promises. Never forget that faith is the beginning, the progress and the consummation of perfection.
From 'Union with God', p.134