Drama - Year C - Pentecost 21 (Proper 25)

DRAMA - PROPER 25, YEAR C

Bible Reference Luke 18:9-14

(21 Pentecost, 28 Oct 2001)

Two dramas provided below

FORGIVENESS, WHO NEEDS IT?

CHARACTERS: Narrator, Mr Smith (dressed in suit) and Mr Jones (dressed very casually), Voice

NARRATOR:

Once there were two men who went to church to pray: one was Mr Smith and one was Mr Jones. (Smith enters proudly, Jones sidles in looking guilty)

MR SMITH:

(Proudly, emphasising the 'I's every time he talks) Almighty God, I thank you that you have made me decent and law-abiding. People respect me and I really make a contribution to society, (Looking down nose at Jones) unlike some people.

MR JONES:

(Ashamed, falling to knees) God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

MR SMITH:

I'm not greedy. I own one car. I haven't got the very latest computer yet and the dishwasher can wait.

MR JONES:

God, I am greedy. I always want more than I'm entitled to.

MR SMITH:

I'm not dishonest. I don't cheat on my tax. I pay my bills, (Smugly) I even admitted to the shop assistant that she gave me too much change!

MR JONES:

God, I am dishonest. I'm not truthful in all my dealings with people. I've told lies or I've avoided the truth.

MR SMITH:

I'm not an adulterer. I've never looked at another woman. My marriage and family are for keeps. I make it work, not like other people I know! There's too much divorce and loose living these days. (Looking down nose at Jones) Pity (Looking down nose at Jones) more people didn't follow my example.

MR JONES:

God, I don't always respect other men and women. I laugh at dirty jokes about marriage and sex. I look at stuff which makes women cheap. I haven't worked at my own marriages the way I should. I don't always encourage and support my friends in their marriages. I ought to tell other couples how good they are for each other. I haven't always told my parents how happy I am that they've loved each other for so long. As a child, I used to resent my parents going out alone without us. God, you gave us marriage. I haven't always been positive about it.

MR SMITH:

(Smugly) I fast two days a week. It's very difficult, but I do it. I even fasted when I had a cold once. Look at how thin I am. I've also given up smoking and only drink occasionally. I only eat healthy food too. I'm a good clean-living guy.

MR JONES:

God, I often over-indulge in luxuries. I eat too much. I smoke and drink too much. I watch too much TV. I spend a lot of money trying to get happiness, rather than coming to you.

MR SMITH:

I'm very generous. I give one tenth to the church, not just of my net income but all my property! I just don't know how the church would get on without me.

MR JONES:

I don't give enough of my time to you, God. I think sport is more important than visiting a lonely person. I don't give enough of my money to you, God, for your work in this needy world. I don't even like parting with my money. I'd rather spend it on myself, there's so much I can spend it on, or else save it all up so I feel I've been a success. (Desperately) God have mercy on me, a sinner!

VOICE:

Go in peace, you are forgiven.

MR SMITH:

(Shocked) Forgiven! What on earth are you talking about? I don't need forgiveness! (Storms out)

MR JONES:

(Surprised and overjoyed) Forgiven! Thank you God, thank you!

NARRATOR:

(Helping Jones up) This man, rather than the other will go home justified. (Jones exits happily) For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted. (Exits)

Permission is given for the owner of this disk to make sufficient copies of this script for their group or congregation, for rehearsal and performance purposes only.

SORRY!

CHARACTERS: One conventional clown, one Charlie Chaplin clown, child

PROPS: A large gold medal on a ribbon for hanging around the neck, a gold crown, a large rosette ribbon with NO. 1 written in the middle, a treasure chest or box, old sack-cloth vest or item of clothing (coated in talcum powder to look like 'ashes' or dust when handled), a cane and a large white handkerchief for Charlie Chaplin clown.

Clown enters boisterously down centre aisle. He puffs his chest out in pride. He is boastful and arrogant. He comes across a treasure chest and opens it excitedly. Inside he finds a rosette ribbon. He puts the ribbon on, gesturing that the No. 1 on it is definitely for him. He goes to the box and finds a large gold medal. He hangs it around his neck and gloats gleefully. He returns to the box and takes out that gold crown. He puts it on his head and then struts about proudly.

Chaplin enters humbly and sadly. He almost stumbles to the front. He takes out a large white handkerchief and dabs his eyes with it. He is contrite and sad. He pulls a sack-cloth vest from out of his trousers or pocket and puts it on.

Clown sees the Chaplin and laughs and prods him. He gestures that he, himself, is not like him. He is disdainful of the Chaplin and satirically mimics him. They both go to opposite sides of the stage area to pray and freeze in an appropriate attitude, clown with head looking up proudly, Chaplin with head bowed sadly.

Child enters down centre aisle. He stands between the clown and the Chaplin and faces the audience.

CHILD:

(Points to clown) This one is proud and pious. (Pointing to Chaplin) This one is humble and contrite. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Child goes to the clown and removes the crown, the medal and the rosette. He takes these articles and goes to the Chaplin, puts them on the Chaplin, then turns and exits the way he came in.

Clown and Chaplin break their freeze. They are a little bewildered for a moment. Then, clown discovers that his accessories are gone. He looks around and sees that they are on the Chaplin. Chaplin sees the Clown scowling at him. He looks down to see that he is wearing the medal and rosette. He touches his head to find he is wearing the crown. He realises he has been forgiven, and he is jubilant.

Clown exits in a mighty huff. He is totally unimpressed that he was not forgiven. Chaplin exits jubilantly and happily.

Permission is given for the owner of this disk to make sufficient copies of this script for their group or congregation, for rehearsal and performance purposes only.