The loudest ringtone

While pondering what my new university life would be like, I was horrified by one lecturer's inaugural session. After introducing himself, this professor established a number of ground rules for the class. Any breach of them warranted a dreadful sanction.

One of the unpardonable sins he emphasized was a student's failure to silence his phone. And woe to the individual whose gadget would ring to disrupt the class. That offender would be kicked out indefinitely.

What made matters worse was our dictator's claim that he himself would strictly adhere to all of his rules. And there was no way he was going to break them. To demonstrate this point, he raised his phone and showed the screen to the small class as proof that his phone had been silenced.

Following this introduction, he taught the best-behaved class I have ever seen. Before the class was dismissed, it was noted that anyone who arrived for any subsequent meetings even a minute late would be considered absent. To avoid embarrassment, that person should not even enter the classroom.

So, guess what? At the next meeting, the class was completely full before the lecturer came. True to his word, he followed his own rule and arrived a few minutes earlier. The class kicked off on time, and it was as silent as before.

But you see, when your family members want to do you, no matter what you do, they go do you. It was only after the lecture began that I remembered to check whether my phone was on silent mode or not. As I slowly slipped my hand into my pocket to retrieve my devil, I heard a phone ring. The sound was moderate, but the shock in people's eyes made it the loudest I had ever heard in my life.

Somehow, I had forgotten my ringtone. As I tried to remember, all of us, the students, slowly turned our gaze to see the professor's reaction. He had stopped writing and turned to face me. As we waited to see what he would do with the scape goat, we witnessed an unexpected reaction.

Instead of being angry, the man smiled. I wondered if he was smiling out of ironic sympathy for what would happen to the offender. But when I examined his grin, it appeared genuine, humble, and apologetic. "I'm sorry class; It's my phone," he muttered.

Come and see; the whole class erupted in laughter. Amidst the outburst, some whispered that he should follow his own rules and leave the class indefinitely. However, he did not leave. After smiling, he apologized once more and resumed teaching. Even so, I noticed that he changed afterward. He relaxed his strictures, and his class became more lively.

This experience taught me that we all need mercy. Show me a man without mercy, and I will show you the most pitiful of all men (Matt. 6:15; 18:32-35). We often throw away mercy until we are at the receiving end. Others deserve a second chance just as much as we do.

While we do not have to be downtrodden by wrongdoers who show no remorse (Tit. 3:10), we should keep in mind that some are willing to do better when given another chance. But the question is, "How many chances do we need to give others?" I believe that as often as you and I may need that opportunity from God (Matt. 18:21-22).

Let us learn from Jesus. Even though he vehemently condemned sin (Matt. 23), he forgave the supposed worst of sinners (John 8:3-11, Luke 23:34). He knew when to use whips and flip tables (John 2:15-17), but he also knew when to turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:38-39). As recipients of God's infinite mercy, let us also show mercy.

Enjoy the grace of God! Amen!