Lent 1 -- Forgive and Something Else

Forgiveness has always fascinated me as a thing, a concept, a whatever. We’re often told that it’s hard but useful, although I don’t recall anyone ever quite explaining what it is. Maybe I was sick that day.

But it definitely seems to be a process, not a step. And it’s all about our peace and tranquility, or that’s my take. I forgive because I can take that off my plate, stop fretting and worrying it to shreds. Forgiveness is moving on, and then eventually, I guess, repairing the breach. There’s a ton of theology around this, too, but not my arena.

In fact, I think the whole notion of forgiveness is purposefully vague, just something we’re supposed to figure out, and so it really only becomes tangible and practical when it comes to forgiving ourselves.

And boy howdy. This would be the time for it, and I think we’re all pitching in.

At first it felt like a Get Out Of Jail Free card. I will eat this because I can’t go outside or see people, and everyone will get it. True enough, too.

And there’s fun in this, I admit. The freedom by itself is fun, knowing that there’s a communal wave of understanding and acceptance. Skipping a shower lately? No judgment. Eating Twinkies and watching old episodes of The Price Is Right? Well, who isn’t? You go, have fun, because you can’t go inside Chili’s and get a burger.

This will change, and is changing, but I do wonder how tolerant we’ll be after this is over. I like to think that I’ll be at least a little more, maybe a smidgen. We’ve shared the same pandemic but, as everyone says, it’s still been way different. I’m thinking I might extend this pandemic grace into non-pandemic life a little bit more, and that’ll definitely be a silver lining. The shower thing could be a roadblock, depending on how many of us retain our sense of smell, but cross that bridge when appropriate, I guess.