Church Plays

(Based on Matt.281-8, Mark 161-7)
© Wendy Noble 2002

CHARACTERS: Mary Magdalene and her friend, Mary.

Mary Magdalene (Mary 1) and the other Mary (Mary 2) enter. They are talking together as they walk slowly up the center aisle. Have them walk the entire length of the church.

Mary 2 is carrying a basket with some ointment and spice jars etc in it.

MARY1 Are you sure we’ve got everything?

MARY2 How many times are you going to ask me that? The answer’s not going to change you know.

MARY1 I’m sorry. I don’t mean to nag. I just want everything to be perfect for him - you know? 

MARY2 I know, I know.  We’ll do him proud, don't you worry.
They stop and look at each other.

MARY1 I still can’t believe he’s dead. How could this happen? One minute he’s healing the sick, doing miracles, and suddenly he’s up before the courts and they execute him! Why?

MARY2 shaking her head. It’s all beyond me... Oh Mary, what will we do without him?
They sigh deeply and then slowly begin walking again.

MARY2 How on earth are we going to get that boulder out of the way?

MARY1 Goodness, I hadn’t thought of that.  Maybe the guards will help us.

MARY2 Do you see a flock of pigs flying overhead?

MARY1 Peering ahead. No, but I don't see any guards either. What’s going on?

MARY2   Maybe they decided it was a waste of time guarding a dead body.
They begin to walk faster as they approach the tomb.

MARY1 Mary, the stone’s gone!

MARY2 Good!  One less thing to worry about.

MARY1 No, something’s up.
They hurry to the tomb and peer in. 

MARY1 He’s not there.  Someone’s taken his body. Why would any one do that?

MARY2 No self-respecting Jew would violate a grave.  It has to be the Romans; the dirty things!

ANGEL Suddenly appearing. Excuse me.
Startled shrieks from both women.

ANGEL I’m sorry if I frightened you. Are you looking for Jesus?

WOMEN Yes.

ANGEL He’s not here.

MARY2 We can see that!

ANGEL He is not here because he has come alive again.  Just as he promised.

Go, tell his disciples to meet him in Galilee.

The women look at each other with their mouths open in amazement. They look at the angel and then at each other again.  They can’t believe what they have just heard.

ANGEL Shouts He is risen! The women jump.  Go on; let everyone know.
The women walk slowly back down the aisle. They are stunned.  A little way along they stop and look at each other.

MARY1 Mary, he’s alive!

MARY2 Oh, can it be? Alive!

They begin walking again and pick up speed.  Every few paces they stop and tell someone in the pews,   He’s alive!  Tell the others!.  OR   He’s risen; pass it on! or variations on that theme.  They get faster, louder and more excited as they go.

Near the door they begin to run out, calling out as they go,
He’s alive!  He’s alive!

THE END

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