Bottle reflections

I was listening to A Prairie Home Companion this morning whilst giving Elaine a bottle, and some woman sang Let it Be by The Beatles. I'd heard this song a few thousand times in my life, as a conservative estimate, and had puzzled over the lyrics. Given the popularity of the song, I assumed the lyrics must be rather profound to many people. I think that what had kerfuzzled my understanding was my perception of The Beatles as hippie spiritualists who, while not anti-Christian, were certainly pro-Eastern in their mystology. Yes, I just made up a word there, or at least spell-check thinks I have.

Let It Be mentions Mother Mary, a somewhat divisive figure. To some Christians, she represents the perfect response to God;"...let it be done according to your will.". Catholics, especially, overtly revere Mary for her obedient spirit. The overall concept of stepping out of the way to let God do his work without the interference of your needs and desires is a fairly universal concept in mainstream Christianity today. However, Mary also represents a battleground of sorts among Catholics, Protestants, and non-Christians. Part of the Protestant argument against Catholicism is the claim that Catholics worship Mary, which would be idolatry. This causes some Catholics to get a bit of a persecution complex about the Mary thing, and they claim her as a badge of honor and do whatever possible to flaunt her image. Non-Christians, particularly atheists, sometimes refer mockingly to Mary as a metaphor for blind devotion. I assumed that Lennon/McCartney meant the reference in the third sense, since that (the non-Christian perspective) is how I am used to encountering Mary in pop music.

The thing that struck me when listening to the song today, particularly after having been heavily involved in Catholicism during my last six years, was that they actually managed to get it right. The lyrics describe perfectly and respectfully what the believer gets out of a spiritual relationship with Mary. First, the concept that she's a mother, and so one can turn to her. Second, that she will be there, or come to you, in times of trouble. Third, that her lesson is always the same. Accept what is thrown your way. Live through it as best you can, and take what good you can from it. Finally, there's an affirmation that you will be rewarded for your faith with understanding, but you have to be patient. I found that the song presented these concepts without a sense of irony or judgement, but instead imbued them with beauty and grace.

I'm no longer a believing person, but I haven't lost respect for those I know who devote their hearts and minds to their faith. I know that it's not blind devotion, but rather devotion with intense self-scrutiny, discipline, and an intent to become a better person every day. So, I guess that I was struck by the song, particularly since it was written and recorded in one of the most tumultuous and divisive years in American history, 1969.

The other thing that I noticed while listening was that Let it Be was the musical ancestor to all of those really crappy touchy-feely, change the world anthems from the 80's. As if she was reading my mind, the singer launched into a few bars of We Are The World right in the middle of the song. I am not kidding. She actually thought that would be a good idea. Ah, well. Let it be, I guess.