The Beatles Let It Be or The Kitchen Madona

 Any Catholic who has ever heard the beautiful lyrics of the beautiful Beatles' song "Let it be" must have surely thought it  was a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On February 23, 2022 Pope Francis invoked the following:  "May the Queen of Peace preserve the worlds from the madness of war".

 Until today, I thought the song was a prayer to Mother Mary. When asked whether the song was religious, in typical marketeeze, the Beatles left it up to the fans to decide.  Some accounts say the inspiration was Paul McCarthy's mom who died of cancer and would appear to him in his dreams. 

It is said John Lennon's disliked the song, but it still became an iconic hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on April 11, 1970. 

Consider some of the lyrics

"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be" 

In he piece titled Our Lady of the Coronavirus published March 22, 2020, Angelo Jesus Canta writes the “at a time of social distancing, increased anxiety and worldwide fear, Francis is not just making an appeal to Catholic devotion. He is calling us all to consider Mary not as an abstract helper but as a mother who has a proven track record of healing, protecting and watching over her people.”

Compare part of the prayer recited by Pope Francis recited on on March 11, 2020 asking Mother Mary to protect Italy and the world from the pandemic as translated by the Catholic News Service:

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of us who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Now the Catholic Company has a different insight about the Blessed Mother. 

It suggests that when you make dinner, or clean up a messy kitchen the Blessed Mother can empathize with you.  While she reigns as Queen in heaven, on earth, she lived the life of a humble housewife. cooking countless meals for Jesus and Joseph, scrubbed countless dishes, washed countless floors, and did countless loads of laundry. 

The Catholic Company Kitchen Madonna

It says that Our Lady, The Kitchen Madonna knows the stress and weariness of everyday tasks, means she can help you find new purpose and energy for everything you.

• The key represents 1) the safety of the home against worldly dangers and 2) prayer, which opens Heaven’s door 

• The kettle symbolizes the nourishment of both body and soul 

• The broom represents the cleanliness of our earthly and spiritual lives

Whether you have a Kitchen Madonna or Gospel music in the background, this is sure to help with the anxiety caused by current events.

As St, Thomas Aquinas said: "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."  So, whether at work or in the kitchen: Pray for people in Ukraine , Pray for people in Russia, Pray to Blessed Mother Mary: - today's scriptures are apropos Jas 5:13-20 

The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.

Elijah was a man like us;

yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain,

and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land.

Then Elijah prayed again, and the sky gave rain

and the earth produced its fruit.