Joy and Fear – March 13, 2026
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 95 [for the Invitatory] 88; PM Psalm 91, 92
Gen. 47:1-26; 1 Cor. 9:16-27; Mark 6:47-56
Yesterday there was a communication breakdown at carpool for our 4th grade son. He was supposed to ride home with a friend but did not get the message. The friend’s mom called me to say she did not have Robinson and would head to my house, a mere 500 yards from the school. Two minutes after the phone call, she texted me: “He was at y’all’s house. We are getting him now.” The next message humorously reported he was “non-traumatized by his 5 solo minutes”. It was good for him to have a tiny adventure – that was not even an issue for him. He relished having a house to himself, not to mention the Oreos on top of the fridge!
The mom sent one more text that I did not see until later: “Also he answered the door with his plastic sword.” I laughed heartily at the mental image of my son wielding his shiny foil from a Halloween costume as a tool of self-defense when answering the door. When I picked him up, I asked what his afternoon coming home from school was like. Characteristically brief, he said it was fine and easy. He was happy to be home and independent. Then, I asked about the sword. He reported that he could not find his aluminum bat, so the sword was the next best thing as he responded to the knocking at the door. I asked if he was afraid and he assented. Hence the weapon. There was a blend of joy and trepidation in those few minutes for Robinson – and I did not appreciate the component of fear until I talked with him about the experience.
Joy and trepidation are a funny mix, aren’t they? We have a similar shift in Psalm 95, appointed in its entirety each Friday in Lent as the first psalm prayed in Morning Prayer. In the first seven verses of this festival psalm, there are words of praise, entreating the faithful “we” to sing and shout to God as the Rock and the great King above all gods. The Lord’s role in creation is lauded, and for that we bow down to give thanks. We are “the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand”.
In Lent, we include the last four verses – not printed within the Morning Prayer liturgy – that bring a very different tone. Moving from a “we” – with arms outstretched in inclusion – to a “you” – with a hand pointing in my direction or yours – the psalmist reminds us of our shortcomings. We quarrel (like the Israelites at Meribah) and test and doubt God’s presence (like the Israelites at Massah). We have wayward hearts and forget the ways God has called us to live. In that mindset, we are restless and apart from the rest the Lord offers. It is a sad, salty turn after the joyous praise that united us a few verses before. Rolf Jacobson from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, offered context of this psalm, sharing that festival worship in ancient Israel during Passover, Pentecost (Festival of Weeks), and Sukkot (harvest time) embodied integrated spaces of celebration and penitence. In Christianity, we often break those pieces into distinct liturgical seasons. For example, Lenten repentance brings us into a low, humble posture so that we are lifted up in resurrection hope and joy at Easter.
Perhaps the whole of Psalm 95 can remind us this Lent that we are messy and complicated, equipped with joy and a plastic sword. God is big enough to welcome us when we are praiseworthy and when we are penitential. God loves us and longs for us to be rejoined with our siblings in faith. The Lord who made the seas and molded the dry land is calling you and me to be reconnected and recentered upon God. In spite of all the pain and chaos, shall we try again today?
With God’s help,
Katherine+
Reflection and Challenge
Sit with how celebration and regret can be co-mingled. Spend a few moments reflecting on where you feel challenged and inspired. How is God building up your faith today in this tension? How will you respond?