Throwing up a Hail Mary!

(I ran a version of this story in September 2018.)

I rolled down my window and let the afternoon sun and wind whip through the car. My day had started miserable and now out of the blue it had turned for the better. As soon as I left my house in the morning, I spilled coffee on my shirt. I groaned as my phone dinged. A slew of emails, all needing my attention came into my inbox.

I had been working a ton of extra hours, getting into work early and staying late. I needed a break. Somewhere in the middle of a crummy day though things began to turn. I could see a glimmer of hope. I got some positive feedback from a client. My project team made progress on a challenging problem that had be causing us a ton of problems. To top it off two late evening meetings were canceled. I would surprisingly be able to get home at a decent time.

With the meeting burden off my back and miles passing by, my mood shifted. I remembered the quick prayer that I had said that morning on my way to work. I had said a simple Hail Mary.

The prayer invokes Mary’s grace. It recognizes her blessedness and asks her, as the Mother of God, “to pray for us now and at the hour of our death.”

Throwing up a Hail Mary

Catholics hold a special place in our heart for Mary. She’s the mother of God and the mother of the church. We seek to be like Mary, to have her faith to God. We don’t worship her or bow down to her like God. Instead, we honor her and we ask for her intercession on our behalf.

In saying the Hail Mary, I prayed that she would pray for me and that my challenging day would miraculously become more bearable. With the day over, I got to thinking that maybe Mary really had interceded on my behalf. Many of the barriers I was facing magically turned from mountains into an easily passable molehills.

I imagined Mary approaching Jesus. I assumed she approached him before the party really got started. In my crazy head, I assume heaven is one big party, full of close friends and family. Hey it’s my dream of Heaven, I can make it whatever I want.

I imagined Mary calling out for Jesus, not by his given name, but by a pet name. When I was little, my mother used to call me Pumpkin or Pudding. I’m 50 years old and she still calls me “Her Baby.” Why would it be any different for Jesus? In any event, I imagined Mary calling out to Jesus and telling him that I had placed a special request for the day.

Mary and Jesus

In my imaginary make-believe story, Jesus asks what I want this time. Mary goes, “Of course, he asked to win the Powerball.”

“Good grief, hasn’t he learned anything yet? My kingdom is more than a bunch of dollar bills for the taking. Doesn’t he remember that it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God! (Mark 10:25).”

He pauses and then continues, “Just for that, make sure the Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts, and all the Little Leaguers in the area all stop by his house with their fundraisers. That will show him.”

“Yes, yes, Jesus I know, but he seems like he could really use the help. Can’t we just give him a small sign? You know best honey, but I think it will really work this time.”

“Mother, you always know how to get what you want. What am I going to do with you?”

“Oh Jesus, he won’t disappoint you this time, I’m sure of it.”

Thankful all the same

Oh I can’t imagine that it works quite like that. My knowledge of what’s good and right is weak. However, I sure hope that parts are true. I especially hope the part where Jesus loves us, forgives us for our sinfulness, and helps us on our journey.

I know one thing: I was grateful for the gift and that’s what it was: a gift. I raced home listing in my head everything I was grateful for. I thought about having the love of friends and family. I was thankful for having a good job and career. I appreciated the chance to have a quiet, relaxing evening.

Life is challenging, but sometimes God gives us something little to cheer us up and get us back on track. I for one will take it and thank God for his grace.

Of course, I do like to remind him that winning the Powerball wouldn’t be a bad thing. I even promise to give a big donation to the poor. Oh, I’ll save that story for another day. Thank you God.

Images by Pexels.