Recently, while doing some research on the subject of Easter, I remembered something I found curious many years ago when I was studying at a seminary in Puerto Rico. The customs on that island are greatly influenced by North America, while in my country, Colombia, a lot of emphasis is placed on Holy Week, Jesus’ Passion, particularly the last supper and the crucifixion. 

On the island, the English word Easter was repeated a lot, and I noticed that they gave more importance or relevance to the resurrection. In hindsight, this was a hint of the giant step that I would take from justifying Jesus’ suffering and death to celebrating his resurrection. This step followed my embrace of the beautiful understanding in Christian Science that Life is God, who is eternal, and that we are the spiritual reflection of God. For me, this understanding marked the beginning of a never-ending Easter. 

The Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, once said something that I have since made my own: “I love the Easter service: it speaks to me of Life, and not of death.” She added: “Let us do our work; then we shall have part in his resurrection” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 180). This work involves taking up the cross—challenging the belief of life in matter as Christ Jesus did—and preaching Christ, Truth, as well as healing the sick and sinning, even in times of persecution. 

Around Easter time each year, the Jewish Passover celebrates the liberation of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. In Christian Science, Easter celebrates an even more sublime sense of freedom in the resurrection of Christ Jesus and the liberation from false material beliefs of all who follow him. It is a week of glory that evokes Jesus’ final victory over these beliefs and the hope of our own victory, step by step, over every claim of mortal existence through the understanding that life is truly eternal for everyone. 

Easter represents for me, my children, my siblings, and my nephews the eternal dawning in thought of our spiritual, immortal selfhood­—of spiritual light, not darkness and suffering. We give thanks to Christian Science for this beautiful legacy.