RICHARD A. CANACCI Parable teaches a life lesson

The most common statements I hear from family and friends are, "But you don't understand what they did to me. How can I ever forgive them?"
We have all been hurt by someone in our lives and we know how we feel when this happens. Why should I forgive someone who has intentionally done me wrong? Someone who does not consider my feelings is not entitled to forgiveness. Let's be fair, it is not normal to forgive someone who abuses you.
This seems like a sound evaluation: A person will not forgive. But a story I read of a man who asked for forgiveness gave me another view. Let me share this story with you.
A parable
There was a man who lived many years ago under the rule of a king. The law in those days required people who didn't pay their bills in a reasonable amount of time to be put in prison. This man experienced extremely difficult times and owed a large amount of money to the king. Let's say, by today's standards, $2 million. After many warnings, the king had this man arrested and taken to the castle. The king ordered the police to put him in the castle dungeon, but he begged the king to understand his situation. He admitted to the king that he was guilty as charged but asked for forgiveness. He told the king that his wife and children would suffer if he was not home to take care of them. The man pleaded for mercy and wanted another chance to stay out of the dreaded prison. He knew that he really didn't deserve another chance, but hoped he could somehow touch the king's heart. After many pleas to the king, the police were told to stop and bring the man before the throne.
The king was truly touched and told the man his debt was completely taken away.
Go home and take care of your family and stay out of debt in the future, the king exclaimed.
The man was free to go!
Plans
He was so happy to get home and tell his wife what happened that he began to think of his future. After some time, he thought of improving his financial situation. He remembered that his neighbor, Nate, owed him some money and this would help start a new business. He and his wife planned what they would do with this money. They were excited and wanted to invest in a small shop and were certain it was safe.
The next day, the man went to Nate and asked for the money. He was upset when Nate told him he didn't have it at this time since business was not good. The man couldn't believe Nate would not give him the money. Even though it was not a large amount, he and his wife had made plans for their future.
He was so upset that he told Nate to give him the money or he would tell the police. Since Nate did not have the money, the police took him to the king for judgment. When the king found out that the man he had forgiven for the $2 million debt wanted Nate to be sent to prison for a much smaller amount, the king summoned the man to his throne.
When he arrived, the king was furious and told the man that since he was so unforgiving, his $2 million debt must also be paid. The man was put in prison and never saw his family again.
This message is given to us in a parable by the Lord and in The Lord's Prayer. It tells us, as Christians, that the Lord will forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others. In other words, the Lord will forgive the sins we have only if we forgive the things people have done to us.
It also says we all sin and need forgiveness. Scripture says if you say you have no sin, you lie.
It is clear that we should permit the Lord to take away all of our sins (the $2 million), and we should not continue to be unforgiving for lesser amounts.
A wise person will search his heart.
XThe Rev. Richard A. Canacci is pastor of House of God in Youngstown.