I am thinking of the tradition of New Years resolutions, as one way our culture offers for reinforcing fresh starts and new beginnings. Our resolve to initiate change and improvement in our lives gives us a reference point and serves as a catalyst for 'newness of life'.
But any new construction needs a solid foundation. And adding new structures on old foundations may conserve resources in the short run but fail us in the long term. It's a good idea to inspect the foundation first and determine it's strength and stability, whether or not it is appropriate to the design of the new blueprint. That is my metaphor for the forgiveness process this Sunday. Adding a list of new resolutions, new goals, new directions in this new year may require more depth to a forgiveness process--even an attitude overhaul-- to move pass the accumulated burden, the mental, emotional, and physical strain of these 2 years of Pandemic.
There are many ways to look at forgiveness; today I am looking at it as a spiritual process that uproots worn out emotions, disappointment and resentment, fear as well as anger and blame. Forgiving the events of the Pandemic (and the Pandemic itself) may seem like an impossible feat. Yet, if we let go of the demand to simply go back to our pre-pandemic life as our 'foundation', we may uncover the spiritual bedrock that has supported us all along. (Susan Nettleton)
For a new perspective on forgiveness from Hafiz, tr. Daniel Ladinsky
https://gladdestthing.com/poems/a-strange-feather
For D.H. Lawrence's perspective of getting to the foundation:
https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/.../DeeperThanLo/index.html