But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption. (Psalms 16:10)

At the core of Christian orthodoxy is an understanding that Jesus "was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead." (The Apostles Creed)

In the scriptures and teachings we are assured that pain is real, death is real, and an existence beyond pain and death is real. What is beyond is a mystery to me. The specific nature of heaven or hell seems to me obscure. And - at least so far - I am not compelled to speculate on such specifics.

I am no longer young and not yet old. But there are brief glimpses of a life beyond this life that encourage me. I assiduously avoid pain. But I am not inclined to fear or postpone death. With Jesus as my guide, I hope to explore that far country.

This solo aria is performed at the close of a five minute clip performed by the Academy of St. Martin's in the Fields.