So many stories about Jessica, but one particular conversation kept coming back to me this week. In March 2004, we talked about what every other person was talking about during that time: The Passion of The Christ. Jessica was brought up Catholic, and she was not afraid to admit it. Jessica believed in Jesus Christ, the God who became human, and died on the Cross for the sins of the world. Who later defeated death and rose again on the third day. She wore a Cross on her neck to remind her daily of the sacrifice that her God made for her.

Come to think of it, Jesus’ life and Jessica’s had a few similarities.

The Jesus portrayed in The Passion of The Christ, knew how it felt to be betrayed by those who were near and dear to him. His disciple, who ate and lived and breathed with him for 3 years decided to sell him to the religious authorities, who had him killed.

Jessica was betrayed, and killed, by someone near and dear to her. Although we don’t know why her husband did what he did, and we may never know, we all feel the pain that he had caused.

Yet Jessica had hope in the sacrifice of Jesus, and his resurrection that promised life for those who believe in him – even though they die, they will live. Just as Jesus’ story was not defeated by death, since he rose again in the end of the movie, Jessica’s story is not defeated by death.

As we have heard from many speakers, Jessica was passionate about life.

If just one person decides to smile more,

If just one person decides to love their spouse more,

If just one graduate student decides to pursue a career in academia,

If just one non-native speaker of English decides to take up a public speaking role,

Then Jessica had succeeded in sharing her passions: to love NOW, to live NOW and pursue your dreams NOW.

And in fact,

One person who’s a non-native speaker of English did decide to take up a public speaking role,

One graduate student did decide to consider a career in academia,

One person did decide to smile more.

That one person, inspired by the Passions of Jessica Soto Pérez, is me.

July 16, 2004

Friend of Jessica Soto Pérez

Judith Kadarusman

Ph.D. Candidate

Dept. Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

UMBC