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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – You’ve probably heard that baseball star Pete Rose died earlier this week. No one in the history of baseball has more hits. Yet he is not in the Hall of Fame because he gambled on baseball. He almost certainly bet on games where he was the manager. And he lied about it.
Two years ago, Pete Rose wrote a heartbreaking personal letter to baseball commissioner Rob Manfred. It it, he apologized. He took responsibility for his actions. He said he was a disappointment to his family and his coaches. He asked for forgiveness. And he asked that he be reconsidered for inclusion in the Hall of Fame. At the time he was 81. He said every day he thinks about the mistakes he made.
I’d always thought that Pete Rose should be excluded from the Hall of Fame. The integrity of the game was paramount to me. A gambler making decisions about wins and losses was unacceptable to me.
After reading his letter, I’ve changed my mind. When someone bares their soul and asks for forgiveness, I’m inclined to give it.
Just in the last week I’ve worked with 14 graduates from The Joseph Project, a jobs program for people who are just out of jail and are struggling with addiction. I’ve counseled some of them to own up to their mistakes. In a job interview, saying something like: “I’ve made many mistakes. I want to leave my past behind and move into a more productive period of my life. I’m looking for someone to give me a chance.” Most people respond positively to that.
Of course, God forgives. Holy scripture tells us that believers are forgiven as soon as they ask. We are also told that “our sins are remembered no more.” If God forgives so unconditionally, shouldn’t we?
I don’t want to live in a world without second chances.
Chris Conley
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