“And the One seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” (Rev. 21:5).

While planning a lesson for school recently, I recalled the excitement of my first years of teaching. There were joyful moments and overwhelming moments; overall, though, it was an optimistic season of new beginnings, with possibility laid out before me.

We can all recall the uplifting nature of life’s fresh starts. Despite their challenges, new relationships, new babies, new hobbies, new recipes, new kitchens, new communities, new courses, new challenges, and new school years have the potential to energize and fulfill.

Although I love the comfort of familiarity and tradition in my personal life, I appreciate the fresh slate of incorporating new ideas into my career. I am no longer a new teacher, yet I keep my passion alive by readily trying new techniques. I may read the same novel with children, but I lead new activities to support that novel. I may direct or accompany for a choir, but I find new music to learn and perform. I have the same curricular template, but many of my lessons change on a regular basis.

Admittedly, there are times when I become tired and less-motivated. When my enthusiasm wanes or when my lessons aren’t reaching children the way I intend, I realize I need to persevere and try something new. I don’t want my teaching days to become commonplace for me, so I often try a new strategy or propose a new activity at our school, which boosts my energy levels and spirit. (Fortunately, I am blessed with colleagues who support me and my sometimes-crazy ideas!)

Pondering my restless personality, I receive a glimpse of why God so consistently provides fresh starts for us. Does he ever feel defeated when his message isn’t understood in the same way by everyone? Does he grow weary of telling people not to worry and seeing them worry, of telling them to treat others respectfully and watching them hurt one another? No, he doesn’t because he knows it’s often necessary to “change things up” a little.

Rather than regarding us as commonplace or giving up on us when we falter, God readily forgives. He takes the repentant sinner back into his loving embrace without hesitation and offers a fresh start, as we hear in the parable of the prodigal son.

God blesses us each morning with a new sunrise – a new day and opportunity to make good decisions. God speaks to us in prayer and inspires our ideas and decisions, if only we take the time to listen.

God washes away original sin in the sacrament of baptism. He grants us a clean slate each time we seek renewal in the sacrament of reconciliation.

Finally, God sent his only Son to rise from the dead and bring us new life.

During Holy Week, we reflect on the many times Jesus could have grown weary as God Incarnate and we draw inspiration from his positive example of perseverance. He was criticized by those who said he shouldn’t heal on the Sabbath. He was disappointed by the friends who fell asleep rather than keeping watch and supporting him while he prayed to the Father begging for strength. He was betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter, all before suffering a tortuous and humiliating death on the cross.

Strikingly, Jesus not only forgave each of these transgressors, he appointed Peter as his own representative here on earth: the first Pope, the “rock” on whom he founded the Catholic Church. He absolved Peter of his sins of dishonesty and utter disloyalty, giving him the most honourable new beginning.

One does not need to be a teacher with new lesson plans and new school years to experience the exhilaration of a fresh start. One only needs to look to Jesus to realize that even death will one day result in new life. One needs to look no further than the confessional at a church and our own hands clasped in prayer to know the joy of a clean slate.

Let us prepare our hearts and minds during this Holy Week. The potential for eternal life is laid before us in the Resurrection. Let us rejoice in the wonder and excitement of this ultimate new beginning.