The world is feeling fragile these days. The headlines tumble in one after the other. What was certain yesterday could vanish tomorrow. Feelings of fear and worry sit heavy on many individuals and communities.
Psalm 27 is one of the psalms assigned to the season of Lent in the Revised Common Lectionary. It is titled in my NRSVUE as a “Triumphant Song of Confidence.” I had hoped a psalm in Lent would resonate more keenly with the present moment but, as Lent so often does, the unexpected and uncomfortable has caused me to slow down and pay attention.
When I sat with the psalm, I noticed something odd. While it begins with a strong note of confidence, declaring “the LORD is,” “I will,” and “[the LORD] will,” it doesn’t stay there. Partway through the psalm, the tone shifts to the imperative. The psalmist cries out, “hear me,” “answer me,” “don’t hide,” “don’t give me up.”
The juxtaposition between confidence and petitions without clear answers made me think of the Hispanic Creed. My favorite part of the creed comes at the very end:
“And because we believe, we commit ourselves;
To believe for those who do not believe,
To love for those who do not love,
To dream for those who do not dream,
Until the day when hope becomes a reality.”
I am deeply grateful for this aspect of Christian community: when I don’t believe, when I cannot love, when I am unable to dream, the community holds these for me. And when I do believe and love and dream, I hold them for those around me who cannot.
It is in days and weeks like this that I am so grateful to be part of this community with you.
May your faithful work and witness offer hope to all those in this community who need a reminder of God’s work among us, even as you find strength and encouragement from others here when you are running dry.
