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The Hail Mary as my Prayerall
Lately, I have been receiving quite a number of prayer requests, thanks to a rather efficient networking system devised by our Bro. Dante Magdangal mainly for the XVD Association members. However, since the prayer requests vary from a death of a close relative, a sick child, a worried parent, a financial problem, a pending business deal, a dreaded disease or serious ailment, one is sometimes hard put to find the appropriate prayer to cover each and every situation calling for divine assistance.
After all, while it may be easy and convenient to simply utter “eternal rest grant unto him/her, etc.” it obviously would be inappropriate for any other situation not involving a death in the family.
It’s true the Lord Jesus himself taught us the “Lord’s Prayer” which can cover many situations usually the subject of many requests for divine intervention. However, there simply is no line item in that prayer that sufficiently pertains to death or the hereafter.
That’s how I learned to appreciate the “HAIL MARY” as a convenient or suitable prayer to utter for most prayer requests. It is a prayer to our heavenly mother, who is also known as the mediatrix of all graces. After all, who can know and feel with us in our hour of great need or desperation than our mother? Remember the little incident at the marriage at Cana? The wine supply for the poor desperate newly-weds and their guests was running out. Mama Mary then tells the steward and waiters: “quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite,” or “do whatever he tells you.” (Jn. 2:5) Then, lo and behold, there was wine aplenty and of excellent quality.
Of all things too and almost sacrilegious is that so-called “Hail Mary pass” in American football. It’s a term used for any long forward pass (a desperation attempt, really) with little chance of success resorted to by a losing football team, such pass usually being batted down or intercepted. Personally, I find the football term uncannily descriptive of the faith we have with our Mama Mary and the miraculous or intercessory powers she has been known to wield as the Mother of God.
Or, let’s say, you’re in a crazy, stupid, infuriating meeting or situation. You’re about to lose your mind or temper. There is no time nor are you inclined to recite an entire rosary. How about a “Hail Mary” instead? Before you even finish the prayer, a wave of good thoughts will have washed away most of your foul mood or evil thoughts. It beats counting 1-10 because you can’t be calling on Mama Mary and thinking bad thoughts.
So, how about saying a little “Hail Mary” for me.-Bro. James Lansang
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