09 January 2011

Let It Be

Let it be to me according to your word.

Those were the words Mary spoke when an angel came to her and said she had been chosen to bear the Messiah. She said yes, and maybe she understood then what it would mean for her: her reputation called into question, the rest of her life turned upside-down in a way she had not anticipated.

From what I've read, the Beatles did not have the Virgin Mary in mind when this song was written. Apparently "Mother Mary" refers to Paul's mother (Mary) coming to him in a dream during a time in which there was a lot of conflict.

But as a Catholic, it's hard not to think of Mother Mary as Christ's mother, and her words to the angel: Let it be to me according to your word.

Let it be.

This song has been in my head a lot this past week. There are a few important things beyond our grief over losing Ewan that just aren't turning out as I had hoped and prayed they would. I'm disappointed and my heart is tired, trying again to accept the opposite of what I wanted.


And so I listen to this and can't help but think of Mary's words: let it be, hoping that wisdom is what is needed at this very moment.