Have you ever been rejected by someone? It can hurt deeply. Today we hear about God being rejected.

The people of Israel are not satisfied with God as their king. They want to imitate the surrounding peoples and install a human king. The prophet Samuel warns them that a human king will take good things from their lives - children, fields, animals - and it will be painful (1Sam 8:10-18). Yet, people feel that they know better than God; they resist God's desire for them.

In the Gospel, we see a paralyzed man brought to Jesus. Jesus heals his body and also cares for another need: forgiveness. Thanks to Jesus, the man is made physically healthy and, more profoundly, free from sin! He has a fresh start.

Sin occurs when we reject the Lord or say 'no' to God in some way. Sin can seem attractive, but it ultimately limits our freedom; it harms us.

If we have sinned, there is hope. Jesus invites us to come to him. He yearns to reconcile with us. As long as we are sorry and willing to change, through the sacrament of reconciliation, we can receive God's forgiveness and healing. We can have a fresh start.