The road to peace and reconciliation is a complex and painful process, whether in national or indeed individual conflicts. It involves the conquering of fear, the dealing with bitterness and outrage, and the building of trust. It can be supported or subverted by those outside of the immediate situation as well as those inside. Yet it has to start somewhere with one side making the first vulnerable move, and taking risks for peace.As a Christian celebrating Easter, I have been struck once again that the work of God in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is often described in terms of peace and reconciliation. The New Testament sees the selfishness and arrogance of human beings as leading to separation from God and from one another. However, it continually emphasises that God makes the first move in offering a new start of reconciliation, with the cross being the place of vulnerability and pain which achieves it.