Opportunity through Forgiveness

In today’s modern society, which in many ways is more sophisticated and interconnected than ever before, there are constant opportunities for people to affect one another positively and negatively. It happens at work and in our personal lives. No one is perfect, and we can all grow and improve. Nearly all people understand and affirm that belief, but it is how we act in those negative moments when we have been wronged that matters. 

In the reading today, Jesus shares a story of a master who is left with the choice of imprisonment or forgiveness for a servant who owes him money. The master chooses forgiveness. The story concludes with the servant, who was forgiven, not exhibiting the same forgiveness for someone who owes him money and is punished.

While forgiveness by itself is worth pursuing, the other element in the reading that resonated with me is the concept of opportunity. Forgiveness provides opportunities for people to improve themselves and display their talents. The master could have easily imprisoned his servant, but he chose forgiveness. For those of us, like me, that do not automatically think of mercy, compassion, and forgiveness when we have been wronged, personalizing the experience and remembering the opportunities that I have been given is a positive point of reflection. I often look back with a feeling of thankfulness for opportunities that were presented to me after I made a mistake or could have done something better. Many good things have happened in my life, personally and professionally, because of opportunities or second chances.  

As in the story that Jesus tells Peter, the challenge for us is then to pay this opportunity forward and provide opportunities for others who have made wronged us or made mistakes. To me, this need for forgiveness and opportunity is heightened when in a position of authority or influence as with the master and his servant. We are all works in progress and allowing people to grow and improve themselves is what God calls for us to do. The difficult or frustrating part is that sometimes these opportunities come at the cost of personal sacrifice. Sometimes it is easier to withhold the opportunity to minimize the effects it may have on you personally, but God calls for us to do more and show mercy like the master. 

Now, I believe there is another side to this concept of forgiveness and opportunity. Someone in an unhealthy relationship or a manager who has given countless opportunities to an employee to prove themselves should not stay in a perpetual cycle of harm or stagnation. In these instances, the core concept of forgiveness remains the same. We are still called to forgive even in those most difficult moments. However, I believe, then we are challenged to work with them with a spirit of formation on how they may grow outside of the current relationship. While in some ways it seems contradictory, compassion and mercy can be shown when ending a relationship. It is our responsibility to make sure that the actions are for the benefit, as much as possible, for all of those involved. Taking this concept all the way to a global outlook, a better, more harmonious world is only possible once we collectively decide to grow together as a society in this spirit of forgiveness and opportunities for others.

Author: Alex Soich, CFO