Most people who experience a fresh start often feel great relief, and unspeakable freshness like when a great weight is taken off one’s shoulders. This may be a case of surviving a terminal disease, surviving a terrible accident (almost) without a scratch, or experiencing pardon or grave misdeed. Some of these moments are life changing. They put us under the category of “Second Chance” living. This is exactly what the resurrection of Christ holds for us, namely, the realization that our debt has been paid, and that we have been set completely free from the burden of sin so as to live fully for God.

However, this is no mere rhetoric that should be swallowed in the dancing and shouting of Alleluia every Easter vigil. Rather it should be our daily reality – to live as the forgiven ones, whose lives have been renewed, refreshed and revitalized in order to live for God and for one another. For it is only in God that we can truly live anew, like fresh doughs.