Forgiveness comes in different stages of sin.

May I discern the depth of empty space created by my own lack of love?

The following story is fictional

I work hard to keep a business operating and treat my employees with a sense of respect for their position which will always result in benefits for all of us. One day, the auditor and I were looking at some misguided funds that appeared to be missing. It wouldn’t have been so difficult to adjust the loss of this money, but it seemed to create a deficit so large that insurance would not cover the lawsuits that were about to appear and all we could do was file for bankruptcy. Our relationship with vendors that our business was based on suddenly dropped and the once good business with others who enjoyed our ethics now went in the toilet. Closing down was not easy, but looking in the eyes of the one employee who perpetrated this fiasco terminated the employment of more than a few dedicated workers who now had to look for employment elsewhere.

The first hurdle in recovering from a disastrous work of evil emanating from a long-time employee and a personal relationship I thought would continue now became a distant view that led to court time and an accusation that led to prison time for this once faithful friend.

How far does one need to go when not only signing off on the plea of guilt to the words “I am so sorry.” “Please forgive me!” My business was ruined, our own personal possessions nearly wiped out, and many personal family togetherness almost became non-existent. What would my ultimate move now be like?

I went to my bible and tried to reconcile what Jesus would do under similar circumstances. Matthew, using the multiples of seven in his gospel asked Jesus, ”How often must I forgive my brother when he asks for forgiveness”? “Seven times?” “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Mt. 18. 21 -22.) Not being ready to accept this, I looked further. Jesus continued with the parable of a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When a debtor was brought before him who owed a large amount, he told the king he had no way of paying him back, the king ordered the debtor to be sold along with his wife and children in payment of the debt. The servant fell down and pleaded with the king saying, be patient with me and I will pay you back in full. Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.” (Mt. 18: 25 - 27). The remaining part of this parable is not appropriate for this discussion. However, this section touched my heart and then next day was at the prison forgiving the culprit and immediately began proceedings to have his sentence revoked and began a new venture with him being part of the reestablishing of the business..

One time I read a story about a woman whose only daughter was brutally raped and murdered in a Florida town. The rapist and murderer was sentenced to prison and after a while the mother visited him. She confronted him and forgave his heinous crime. Her words were; “you took my daughter’s life and have put a burden upon me. But, you won’t ruin my life with this tragedy.” “At least I am free from holding a grudge and anger because of your mistake.” Here again is a person who experienced an evil confrontation in her life but followed the words of Jesus. Compassion is not easy, but without it even the most evil attacks must be forgiven. The answer to this takes you and me to a hill in Jerusalem called Golgotha. The only Son of a Loving and forgiving God sent his Son to be the ransom for all humanitys’ sins. There is not one human being that ever lived that can say he/she never hurt someone and God became the very entity that was ignored and cursed, and spit upon because he is I AM. We are forgiven as he stretched out his arms and said; ”This much I love you.”

Ralph B. Hathaway