At some point this week, it’s likely that you’ve either asked or been asked about how you enjoyed Easter.

The ultimate triumphal event on the Christian calendar, when Easter falls is based on a calculation known as the “Computus Paschalis.” 

Basically, the date each year when we celebrate Jesus’ miraculous Resurrection from the dead is always the first Sunday after the first full moon that lands on or after the first day of spring.

It’s a glorious day punctuated by the singing of wonderful music, reflection on the promise of life after death.

Then for many, all the fun traditions ranging from egg coloring and hunting to lunches and brunches and extended family gatherings.

It’s widely accepted and settled that Easter is a day — but it’s really a 50-day celebration otherwise known as Eastertide or the Paschal season.

The 50-day span is based upon the 40 days Jesus spent after the Resurrection appearing and teaching, followed by Him sending the Holy Spirit after His ascension into Heaven (Acts 2).

Many churches celebrate that monumental occasion known as the feast of Pentecost, which is a Greek word for “fiftieth.”

In a transactional and commercial world, a neat and tidy holiday celebration of a single day is convenient and even streamlined.

But is there anything more monumental or consequential than Jesus coming back from the dead?

The Texas Legislature passed a bill establishing an education savings account (ESA) program, providing money for families to pay for private school tuition or homeschooling. The House also approved more funding for public schools and teacher salaries.

Texas Values, a Focus on the Family-allied family policy council, supported the legislation Director of Government Relations Mary Elizabeth Castle said the bill “would make sure that parents have the empowerment to send their kids to the school that will best serve them.”

She added, “Students can also have a better opportunity to learn and succeed.”

Senate Bill 2, “An Act relating to the establishment of an education savings account program,” passed the Senate in February with a vote of 19-12; it passed the House last week with a vote of 86-61. The measure approves about $1 billion for ESAs.

The act now goes to Governor Greg Abbott, who applauded its passage, saying:

“For the first time in Texas history, our state has passed a universal school choice bill out of both chambers in the Texas Legislature. This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children.

“I applaud the legislators who took a stand with the overwhelming majority of Texans who support school choice. When it reaches my desk, I will swiftly sign this bill into law.”

In observance of Easter Day, American Idol aired a special, three-hour “Songs of Faith” episode on ABC.

The episode featured faith-filled performances from the 23rd season’s Top 20 contestants, special guests including Jelly Roll, CeCe Winans, Roman Collins, Brandon Lake, and the show’s judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood.

It’s the very first time the show has aired a completely faith-focused episode since it premiered in 2002.

According to reports, judge Carrie Underwood “fought” for the special episode even though some staffers thought it inappropriate.

Carrie was a “big advocate for it” and “pushed to make this night happen,” a source told The U.S. Sun.

“It was really important for her for the show to go through with it. Lionel and Luke were on board, but Carrie was the most vocal about wanting to make sure it happened.”

One of the episode’s first performances brought a moment of charming entertainment and worship to the stage, with the Brown Four, a kid’s quartet from Memphis, Tennessee, singing “Oh, How I Love Jesus.”

Judge Luke Bryan performed his song “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids,” which was released last year.

Byran said he “instantly” knew he wanted to perform the song when he first learned about the Easter special.

Human life is intrinsically valuable.

This is my chief objection to “The Embryo Question,” The New York Times’ three-part series examining the ethical status of embryos.

In each piece, IVF patient and “reproductive journalist” Anna Louie Sussman compares different legal and moral conceptions of embryos — everything from a meaningless clump of cells to a unique person with inalienable rights.

The series does not come to any firm conclusions about embryos’ worth. In her final piece, Sussman muses on their “astonishing subjectivity”:

“We all have the capacity to feel one way about embryos in one context or on one day and a different way in another situation.”

I vehemently disagree. Embryos are not subjective — they are independent human persons with their own DNA. The Bible tells us God intentionally creates these tiny humans. He knows and loves them, regardless of their size, level of development or independence.

Psalm 139: 13-16 famously reads,

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.”