ACT II
Mary & Martha Scene
(Salome, a follower of Christ is at the city well with her children, but having stopped to talk with Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany (Martha’s sister), and Mary Magdalene, who stands at the back).
SALOME ...then I said, I don’t care if walking to Galilee does put me into labor. I will be with my Lord and He will bless me! (All the women chuckle knowingly).
REBEKAH When will we leave for Galilee?
MARY, MARTHA’S SISTER We don’t know, Rebekah, but soon. The angel said Jesus would go before us. And we’ll meet Him there. (65)
SALOME (Stroking Rebekah’s hair thoughtfully says…)
It’s true, what He said, isn’t it--that this experience would be like childbirth?
MARY, JESUS’ MOTHER
Yes, “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow...but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish.” 69
MARY MAGDALENE We’ve been grieving for three days and suddenly the grief is forgotten!
(MARTHA arrives at the well, and stops to listen).
MARY, JESUS MOTHER No. Not forgotten. Losing a son, even the Son of God, is a sorrow that can never be forgotten. But it has changed. (beat) In our sorrow, we are finding joy.
MARTHA-(Crosses to Mary, Jesus’ Mother) Did I ever tell you about the first time He came to our home?
MARY, JESUS’ MOTHER
No, Martha.
MARTHA He was traveling with the disciples near our city. I had heard about this man, this Savior and the minute I saw Him, my heart knew Him. I invited Him into our home to rest and eat. I wanted so much to show Him that I knew who He really was, that I was a covenant daughter of God. (Softly chuckles)
I did what I thought every good woman should. I frantically straightened up our home and began making food. The Savior was in my home! I wanted everything to be perfect for Him!
MARY, MARTHA’S SISTER(Moves forward )
And all I wanted to do was sit and drink in His presence.
(Martha goes to Mary, embraces her and tells the story together with her)
MARTHA I was so frustrated! I wanted to sit at His feet and listen to His words, but there was work to be done. And my sister was just sitting there! I said to Him, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” (Luke 10:40)
He looked at me with love in His eyes, as though He was looking into my soul.
“Martha,” he said, “Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
[cue: “Do His Will”]
(Martha crosses to Salome and sings to her)
He was so gentle with His counsel, but it pierced me to my core. He did not say that what I was doing was wrong, He was asking me to choose something better, something that would change my life.
LAY ASIDE YOUR LABORS, STILL YOUR ANXIOUS HEART, WAIT FOR HIS INSTRUCTION, AND CHOOSE THE BETTER PART. (Mary of Bethany moves to Mary Jesus Mother)
HE WON’T EXPECT PERFECTION, JUST A CONTRITE HEART, HEAR HIS LOVING COUNSEL, TO CHOOSE THE BETTER PART.
THEN CHOOSE THE BETTER PART.
(They embrace as Thomas enters) THOMAS Sisters!
MARY, SISTER OF MARTHA Thomas.
THOMAS Mary Magdalene, I’ve been looking for you since yesterday. Peter said you’d gone back to the garden.
(Seeing that this is intended to be private, all exit except M.M. and MMOJ. Salome might say, “Come Rebekah” or “Come children” and Mary and Martha just quietly go back into their home.)