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Easter invites us to experience death and life in that order. Many people respond, “I want my life now, and death can come later.” As my mother would say “A life that wants dessert before the main meal.”

It is a life that avoids pain at all costs and becomes obsessed with happiness. When pain and suffering come (or broken dreams or disease or obesity or insufficient funds), so unprepared for the feeling are we that we run away, desperately searching for a sugar hit of happiness.

Those who espouse, enact and live a generous vision will be opposed.

Sometimes, they will be put on trial, and those who conduct the trial will often be people once counted as allies.

From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, his vision was opposed by influential people, leading citizens. Around 30 AD, during Passover, Jesus was put on trial by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, fellow Jews.

(Not an insignificant number of Christians discover that it is people within the church who oppose their vision.)

Last Thursday, on Conversations with Richard Fidler, I was introduced to the ‘fortepiano.’ The comments of Richard’s guest, Geoffrey Lancaster, about this unusual instrument intrigued me.

I also acknowledge I am entirely out of my depth here.

I apologize in advance to those many people with more musical knowledge than I!

The fortepiano existed from around 1700 up to the early 19th century, and has recently enjoyed a revival. It’s the piano that Mozart et al. wrote for. (A fortepiano was brought out to Australia with the First Fleet.)

Sometimes, thinking on past memories, I am brought up with a jolt, ‘Did I really say that?’

‘Oh no, that’s so embarrassing!’

‘If only I knew then what I know now…’

Recently, a similiar moment occurred in conversation with the Presbytery panel, appointed for the Vital Ministry Consultation.

Discussing my placement at Gordon, a panel member made a comment that rang many bells. It was wonderfully affirming, profoundly insightful, and also painful, all three.

It was almost a revelation.