Hail Mary?

For everyone giving their time and focus to this, I thank you. One way or another, we’re here to serve the will of The Most High God. In that aim, pray with me now not because it’s some arbitrarily righteous thing to do, but because now is a better time than many to humble ourselves as one to receive the blessing of our Father's guidance.

When I read this verse, I wonder how many will recognize who it’s about, and why I deliver it?

“The Angel entered her presence, and he said to her, "Peace to you, full of grace, Our Lord is with you; you are blessed among women." Luke 1:28
The Roman Catholic practice of worshipping the Holy Mother has always been heretical in my eyes. Some would water down that reality and say it’s only admiration, but shrines in her veneration say otherwise. Mother Mary is certainly worthy of love and honor, though she would never claim them for herself, and probably doesn’t feel too happy about those who overstep honoring her in favor of direct worship. All that considered, I’ve come to a better understanding of the Hail Mary prayer which may surprise you. The Ecumenical Order of Christ has approved the Hail Mary, with some necessary corrections of course.

Rejoice Maryam, for you are full of grace.
Our Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Yeshua.
Holy Maryam, Mother of The Son of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Understand that prayer is not the same as worship. Prayer is the same as speaking. That’s all it is, whether done aloud or not. How do you tend to a relationship with a lover? You talk to them, and listen. How do you tend to your relationship with our Father in Heaven? You talk to Him, and you listen. If any among you cry heresy about this while in the same day you hastily recite a repetitive cookie-cutter prayer without putting any thought or feeling to the meaning of the words, recognize your hypocrisy and amend it NOW. If you don’t know the difference between praise and worship, you could be a terrible leader. The Most High praises those who lovingly serve Him. Do you?

Prayer to angels is authorized, and the Father regularly sends them as his messengers. He has in countless cases used messengers, rather than directly speaking. It is therefore no different to pray to an angel than to send a letter with a friend to be delivered at the post office. The concept of a mediator between myself and the Father is not in any way an equal substitute for speaking to God for myself. Do not be confused. You must still speak to God yourself as well. Archbishop Eric can’t do it for you. If you don’t feel worthy to speak to God yourself, that’s exactly why you NEED TO. Shame and humility are cousins, not twins. The first is a reason to pray. The second is a reason your prayer is a pleasure to hear.

By Christ Yeshua, believers are made children and heirs of the Father. Maryam is made the mother of us all by the role bestowed upon her. She is only a righteous mortal woman. She is not equal to the Father, nor is she the One who He sent to open our path to Heaven. Like many biblical figures and angels, just like you and I, she is a beloved servant of the Most High with a job to do. The Hail Mary is no different than asking our Mom to tell Dad that we’ve been good children. Any good mother might do that, but a mother will often tell her child to speak to the father themselves as well. Neither can be replaced, and Yeshua himself made clear multiple times that he was the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

In John 14:6, translated from Greek as it was before the Council of Nicaea, Yeshua says, “I am the path, the truth and the life: None of you will come before the Creator except through me.”

In his name we speak to the Father, no one else’s, but we ourselves would be poor in love if we did not speak to God for the sake of others, so why should we be ashamed of asking another to speak for our benefit as we honor them?
Pray about this and genuinely seek to understand the differences between prayer, praise, honor, and worship if you do not already. It’s one more way to love God, and love each other. Bless you, in the name of RayEl.