A man enters the confessional.
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
What are your sins, my son?
I am not paying my mortgage, Father.
Why not, my son?
I got laid off, Father. I have no income but I have lots of obligations. Putting food on the table and keeping my medical premiums up to date (they go up every year) takes all of my unemployment check. And…my unemployment benefits will soon expire.
Well, my son, I am not sure that I hear that you have committed any sin.
Definition of SIN from Merriam Webster on-line dictionary
1
a : an offense against religious or moral law b : an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible <it's a sin to waste food> c : an often serious shortcoming :
2
a : transgression of the law of God b : a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God
Did you get a loan to buy your house?
Yes, Father.
The lender must have said that you were qualified for the loan. Are you qualified for a loan?
Father, I do not have a job.
Why don’t you sell your house, my son?
Father, my house is under water.
Didn’t you get an appraisal for your loan, my son?
Yes, Father. The appraisal came in at the price that I paid for the home.
So, if I understand the situation correctly, the appraiser is not expected to be held accountable for an appraisal that cannot stand the test of time; the lender is held harmless because he could not see into the future but you are accused of sinning because your circumstances have materially changed since you bought your house.
That is how it seems, Father.
Well, my son, go now. Light a candle and pray for light.
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