They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. — Psalm 22 (see 27b)

Mass Readings: Hebrews 12:1-4/Mark 5:21-43 

Saved by Faith 

A man dies and appears before St. Peter who tells him he needs 1,000 points to enter heaven. The man answers he was a cradle Catholic who prayed and studied the catechism and Bible daily, attended Mass each Sunday and practiced Christian charity. Good, St. Peter, says “That’s four points.” The frustrated man cries out, “Then only God can save me.” Peter replies, “You’re right. That’s 1,000 points, giving you 1,004 points. Welcome to heaven.” 

The same holds true for the woman in today’s Gospel. For 12 years she hemorrhaged, making her unclean and unable to associate with her neighbors. In addition, doctors had bled her savings dry. In the end, the woman’s faith made it possible for Jesus to heal her. In the end, faith saves and heals each of us. 

Prayer: God, our Father, make my faith strong and heal me of my many failings.