When Bank of America announced this week that it would be selectively forgiving up to 30% of the principal on mortgages to help borrowers, I checked in to find out the details because my mortgage is with Bank of America. Because of the fact that in my 18 years and 11 months of building personal credit history I have never been late on any payments, I don’t qualify. I would need to be at least 60 days overdue to get considered for a benefit. So what message does this convey to those who have played by the rules and acted “dutifully”… especially those who perhaps had foregone excesses to make sure that they lived within their means? The 4-year-old’s conversation that erupts in our adult mouths spits out, “It’s just not fair!”
The theme of a recent sermon at All Saints’ Episcopal Church was the well known parable of the prodigal son. He talks his father into giving him his half of the inheritance early so that he can travel and party, then when the good times run out, he decides to return home and humbly ask father to take him back. The oldest son, who stayed at home and worked dutifully for his father, is a bit peeved that his irresponsible younger brother’s return is greeted with a massive celebration and not a stern scolding. Most of us have felt like one brother (or both) at various times in our lives. I certainly have!
The story of the two sons helps to answer that “It’s not fair!” conversation. Our reaction and judgment stem from more than simply anger against being indulgent or being self-righteous. They show up in the context of forgetting our foundation of love and compassion. What does it feel like to be that person who will be forgiven?
It would be rudely unjust to lump everyone who will qualify for the plan together as having been financially irresponsible. I personally know many who would have loved to stay in their homes but balloon payments that surpassed their fixed incomes pushed them into foreclosure or short sales. It wasn’t their preference and it wasn’t because they squandered their finances. Can we find it in ourselves to forgive? Can we put ourselves in their shoes and thereby react by offering unbounding love to them in their situation? Not sure? Try it! Namaste 
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