Prayers and choices in light of Pacman’s defeat and MJ’s reprieve

WHAT COULD a priest possibly have said to his people at the afternoon Mass last May 3 in Manila, after Manny Pacquiao lost to Floyd Mayweather that morning? Maybe:

“In the weeks before the fight God received millions of prayers from Filipinos for the life of Mary Jane Veloso and victory for Manny. God decided he couldn’t do both. He looked very closely into the hearts of the people who were praying to Him to see which result they really wanted more than the other. He found that if asked, most Filipinos would prefer that Mary Jane be set free. So that’s what He did. I congratulate you on your choice, my dear brothers and sisters.”

—DENIS MURPHY,

Urban Poor Associates,

[email protected]