Beyond the celebration and merriment, however, what does Easter mean to individuals?
Dr. Ifeyinwa Adegbulugbe says that for her Easter is a time of awakening, the beginning of the liturgical year. “For me Holy Saturday when the priest lights the fire and marks the Easter Candle with the year 2018, it’s like saying that for this year 2018 God is with me and the fire is like the fire of renewal. It will burn off all the excesses, the dead wood, everything we have gone through lent and it will bring something new,” she said.
According to her, she feels special knowing that Jesus died for her long before her birth.
Her words, “the special thing about Easter for me is that it marks the beginning of the year saying we have been dedicated to God and we are journeying together. I have a special name for Jesus, I call him the lover of my soul and he calls me his beloved. Even though I came into the Catholic Church late I have been able to recommit to Jesus as a lover, as a friend having a deeper relationship. I can say that it is in the Catholic Church that I could hear God speaking to me.
“For Jesus dying on the cross, we thank him but for me it’s more special because he has my back and I know that from now till eternity we’ll journey together.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Onowosafy sees Easter as the season and reason for her life. “Easter is the most important season of the Catholic Church and humanity in general. It is the season that has given us the opportunity to live our lives over and over again. This when Jesus Christ came to the world to save us all and wash away all our sins.
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“Some people see Christmas as the most important season but I see Easter as more important because it is the time God made us know that he has come to wash away everything about sin,” she enthused.
For Ayomide Adegbite, a Medical student, Easter reminds him of Christ’s death and why he is a Christian. “Easter reminds me of how Christ died for me on the cross. It reminds me why I’m a Christian. It really feels fulfilling knowing that Christ died for me. It gives me an aim and objective in life, a self identity; that I’m a Christian and I serve God, “ he said.
Mrs. Cordelia Onu, Chairman, Emperor Nigeria Limited says “Easter is about the greatest love ever, the love of God which made him sacrifice his son for the world. It teaches me to aspire to a higher level of living where I can love even those who might not reciprocate.”
Indeed Easter is about Christ who died and resurrected and as Rev. Fr. Jide Arowosfe put it “Easter is about the Christian faith that we believe in a God who not only died but a God who resurrected from the dead, which means he conquered death. So it’s a celebration of life, a celebration of rebirth.”
