It is quite normal in our workplace to have a new chief executive officer from time to time.
A few years ago, a new CEO was appointed. I already knew her because we had worked together in a different office. She was also a friend of one of my former bosses. Because of that, I thought we would be able to get along well. And in the beginning, we did. We had a good start.
Then I applied for a higher position. I did not tell her about my application because, in my mind, I believed that it was not her business to know. I thought that my career application was my own matter.
Later, she stopped talking to me. She would snub me, and sometimes it felt as though I did not exist.
At first, it didn't really bother me. But eventually, I learned that she had been telling some of our staff that she felt betrayed—that she was hurt and angry because I had not told her about my application.
That hurt me deeply. I thought, “If she was hurt, why didn't she just call me? Why didn't she talk to me? Why didn't she give me the opportunity to explain my side?”
As the CEO, I expected more from her. She was angry. And I became angry too. So I told myself that if she didn't want to talk to me, then that was fine with me. I didn't need to talk to her either.
But then I didn't get the promotion. And looking back, I began to see the situation differently.
Perhaps God was teaching me something—not about who was right or wrong, but about humility.
Was she at fault? Perhaps. Could she have approached me directly and given me the opportunity to explain? Yes.
But if I am being completely honest with myself, I was also at fault.
I was too proud to acknowledge that I may have hurt her. I was too proud to go to her and explain. I was waiting for her to make the first move because I believed that she was the one who was wrong.
And isn't that sometimes what happens in our relationships? We wait for the other person to apologize first. We wait for the other person to explain. We wait for the other person to reach out. And while we are waiting, the distance between us becomes greater.
Today's Gospel challenged me because Jesus tells us that when there is something wrong between us, we should not simply allow resentment to grow. We are called to address it—not with anger, not with humiliation, and not by telling everyone else, but with humility and love.
I realized that I had been so focused on what she had done to me that I failed to examine what I had done as well. I wanted justice for myself, but I wasn't looking honestly at my own actions.
And perhaps that is one of the hardest forms of humility—to admit that we may have been wrong too.
The experience also taught me something about forgiveness. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean saying that what happened was acceptable. It means choosing not to remain trapped by the hurt.
And sometimes forgiveness begins when we are humble enough to say, “Maybe I also played a part in this.”
I cannot change what happened anymore. I cannot go back and redo that situation. But I can learn from it.
And perhaps that disappointment—the promotion I did not receive—became part of a lesson God was teaching me about pride, humility, and forgiveness.
Sometimes God teaches us through the things we receive. And sometimes He teaches us through the things we don't receive.
Looking back, I realize that I needed that lesson.
Perhaps there is someone in your life today with whom you are carrying an unresolved hurt.
Maybe you are waiting for that person to make the first move. Maybe you believe, with good reason, that they were the one who was wrong. And perhaps they were.
But today's Gospel asks us to look beyond the question of who was right. It asks us: What are we going to do with the relationship? Can we speak privately and honestly? Can we listen? Can we acknowledge our own part? Can we forgive?
Sometimes reconciliation is possible. Sometimes it takes time. And sometimes, for reasons beyond our control, a relationship may not return to what it once was.
But even then, we can choose not to carry hatred. We can place the person and the situation in God's hands.
The Psalm tells us: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Perhaps today God is speaking to you about someone. Perhaps He is asking you to forgive. Perhaps He is asking you to apologize. Perhaps He is asking you to have a conversation you have been avoiding. Or perhaps He is simply asking you to surrender your anger.
Whatever God is asking of you, don't let pride prevent you from taking the first step.
Sometimes the first step toward healing is simply admitting: “Maybe I was wrong too.”
And remember the promise Jesus gives us: Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there. Invite Him into your difficult relationships. Invite Him into your conversations. Invite Him into the places where you are still hurting.
Because we don't have to repair everything by ourselves.https://youtu.be/NUQ2SnvDF1I?si=u69i4RTlv9Voh5z5