Mary
is the queen of surrender. When the angel comes to her with the news, both impossible and outrageous, she says simply, “Let it be.” Let what is about to happen, happen.
This isn’t passivity or indifference. It isn’t fatalistic. Not, “Well, it’s bound to happen, so there’s no sense fighting it.” It’s curious, wanting to know how this impossible promise could come true. When fear and panic flood her limbic system, she counts to ten. When the usual judgments arise—Do I like this? Does this reinforce what I already believe? Will this make me look good?—she suspends them. Her Let it Be is an active affirmation. It’s a Yes that means, I want to want this, even if I’m afraid. I want to be a part of this, go where it takes me.
Mary’s same angel still comes, still announces things we either can’t believe or just don’t want to hear. Sometimes it’s a beautiful vision for our future that seems impossible—we could never do or be that. And sometimes it’s a heads up that suffering is coming, and despite the promise of God’s abiding presence, we’re afraid. Let it Be. Remember the line from the Rilke poem we read a few days ago, “What we fight is so tiny.” We need a transformed will to be able to stop fighting to keep our itty-bitty life intact—to allow the great, the immense, the frightening-but-exciting, to happen. Let it Be.
P.S. It’s not Saturday, when we feature music in this series, but as I wrote this piece I found myself toggling over to YouTube to let Paul McCartney’s classic hymn of surrender wash over me. Me and Mother Mary. (The footage for this music video came from The Beatles’ last weeks of practice before what turned out to be their final concert. The woman taking pictures is Linda Eastman, soon to be Paul’s wife. And the little girl at the end is Linda’s six-year old daughter, Heather. Oh, and that’s Billy Preston on the keyboard.)
P.P.S. There’s still a great Dylan song all queued up for Saturday!
COMPANIONS ON THE WAY
Introduction
Stories of Turning
Week One
Stories of Wild Places
Week Two
Stories of Dogged Faith
Week Three
Stories of Mercy & Forgiveness
Week Four
Stories of Simplicity & Joy
Week Five
Stories of Prayer & Surrender
Week Six
Stories of Transforming Love
Wow!
Thanks for reading, Jill
Loved that, David, the thought of Mary taking a moment, then choosing an active affirmation, saying Yes.
You say, “Mary’s same angel still comes, still announces things we either can’t believe or just don’t want to hear.”
That made me think of a prayer my friend, Tim, shared with me: “Dear God, give me the courage to face the truth about myself, no matter how wonderful it is.”
That’s that the angel is saying to me today. She’s saying, “Michael, you’re a gift. You’re wonderful.” After a brief Norwegian flinch, after a moment’s hesitation, I say, Amen!
Right—If you really want to frighten people, tell them they have an incredible gift. Glad you could make that affirmation today.
I love the concept of knowing something really hard is ahead but wanting to be a part of it anyway. Reminds me of the Helen Keller quote, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
And as much as I loved the reading, that video just wow! McCartney so young and with a beard no-less..and Lennon just very alive. I sang “Let it Be” at Jimmy’s Seaside Tavern with the School of Rock a few years ago…I did that song no favors but what a beautiful song that will be relevant 1000 years from now.
How I wish there were a video of you singing “Let it Be” at Jimmy’s Seaside!
“I want to want this, even if/when…let it be.” That’s a prayer I will tuck away. And woo hoo for bonus music!