# A Melody of Hope: A Feast for Mary
*2008-12-07*

> Bill Young reflects on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, shares a family prayer, and offers a meditation on Mary’s role in Advent drawn from Rev. James Field’s “Melody of Hope.”

## Opening Remarks

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the 239th episode of Catholic Podcast Ministries, Prayer and Lunch. Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and we’ll be praying from *Melody of Hope*, Daily Reflections, Responses and Prayers, Advent 2008, by Rev. James Field. The topic is a feast for Mary, which is very appropriate.

## A Family Prayer

Before we begin the reflection, I’d like to share a prayer that was given to me by my aunt, Sister Mary Teresa, many years ago. It is called “Prayer to Obtain Favors.”

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure virgin at midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. In that hour, O God, hear my prayers, grant my desires, and through the merits of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Blessed Mother, Amen.”

## Reflection: Mary in the Home of Our Hearts

The reflection compares the way real‑estate stagers prepare a house—removing knick‑knacks, excess furniture, heavy drapes, and sometimes repainting walls—to how we sometimes try to “stage” our spiritual lives. A friend once heard a stager tell her to take down an icon of the Blessed Mother, saying, “It’s got to go.”

Mary is essential to Advent. Without her courage, faithfulness, and hope, our lives would lack the strength to face struggles. In 1851, at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention, a speaker responded to the argument that women have no rights by saying, “You say I cannot have rights as a man since Christ wasn’t a woman. Where did Christ come from? From God and a woman. Man had nothing to do with it.” This reminds us of the profound power of Mary’s spirit from the beginning, preparing and strengthening the Church.

When we hear the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary, some ask, “Did she consult her parents or Joseph first?” The point is that Mary’s “yes” was free of the things that hold us back from responding to God’s invitation. Advent is the perfect time to renew our friendship with Mary.

## Putting Mary in Our Lives

Take a look around your home. Is there an image of Mary among your treasured items? Even placing a beautiful card of Mary in a prominent place can be a start. Resolve today to give Mary a place of honor in your household.

## Closing Prayer

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Amen.

*Advent invites us to make space for Mary in our hearts and homes, so her courage and hope can guide us toward Christ.*