Mark 5:21-43: Your faith has healed you; go in peace and
be freed from your suffering.
Two days after Thanksgiving, 2001, I had the beginning of a
major heart attack. It was a rainy, cloudy day when I entered
the Heart Institute, a part of the Fairfax Medical Center.
There had been no signs or reason for me to suspect that I
was on the verge of a serious heart problem. When the
medical staff informed me, I was shocked, to say the least—
“me,” a professional Dietitian, always eating the right things
(no sweets, gravy, candy, etc.), keeping my weight under
control—my, oh, my. But I had faith and knew that I would
be alright. Throughout my journey with family, St.
Barnabas’ friends, and competent medical personnel, I knew
that there was no cause to worry. I never asked, why me? As
Jesus said in Mark, after the woman touched his robe,
“Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you are healed
and whole, live well, live blessed; Be healed from your
suffering.”
Psalm 80; Genesis 44:18-34; 1 Corinthians 7:25-31;
Mark 5:21-43
These Lenten meditations were written by the people
of St. Barnabas' for the people of St. Barnabas' as part
of our recognition of the 50th anniversary of the founding
of this church. We hope that you will find them helpful
in your own Lenten devotions.
