Sample Dialogue: "The Withered Tree"
About The Withered Tree
This is a liturgical drama based on the Passion Story in Matthew. It is intended as a worship event, and includes hymn suggestions, congregational responses, prayer and scripture. There is no single actor portrayal of Jesus or God in this. However, a speaking chorus is used to give voice to the Dietywhen needed, and production suggestions include the use of a person offering in dance or mime a portrayal of the crucifixion. Also, at the end, a person may be used as the gardener, symbolizing a resurrected Christ. Some of the characters are based on people named in the gospel. And some are added, or assumed to have been there. This allows room for some very human, even humorous characters to emerge. So why put humorous characters in a passion play? The Gospel of Matthew is about the people who were the early church. It is also about how churches work -- then and now. It is the story of that which is holy totally enveloping our little profane, human designs, and letting holiness escape into the streets and touch all people. Sometimes that brings us human beings to tears, and sometimes we can laugh at ourselves.
Unfortunately, this script is no longer available for purchase, but please enjoy the sample dialogue below
Sample Dialogue for The Withered Tree
PIDGEY: This tree is physically withered. Curses can be humiliating, and in fact devastating, but I've never heard of a truly withering curse before. Are you sure there was no chemistry involved?
PETER: Of course not. I heard it myself. He said to this tree "No one shall ever eat figs from you again!"
PIDGEY: And that withered this tree?
PETER: Here is the proof. (Pointing to the tree.) No one shall ever eat figs from this tree again, right.
PIDGEY: Oh, come now. You don't really expect me to believe such bizarre biometry. And furthermore, if anyone was walking around Jerusalem with such celestial power as this implies, I would be among the first to hear about it. You see, I am of the priestly order of Levite.
PETER: Yes, I know.
PIDGEY: Oh? You mean you could see my aura of all-knowing? And you recognized that I was a scholar?
PETER: I noticed that you have pigeon feathers on your robes.
PIDGEY: What is that supposed to mean?
PETER: Oh, I didn't mean anything allegorical or anything. I just knew who you were, because you have pigeon feathers on your robes, so it is easy to guess you have been spending your time lately at the temple where the priests, these days, are working as money changers and pigeon dealers. Isn't that where you picked up the pigeon feathers?
PIDGEY: Please! Say no more! Don't remind me of the pigeons. I'm trying to forget that horrible scene yesterday when that Jesus of Nazareth came bursting into the temple, tipping over the money tables, spilling coins all over. Then, while we were trying to sort out a pecuniary tower of Babel, this Jesus opens the pigeon cages and lets all the holy little peckers loose in the common sky. And now, we can't tell the holy birds from the park pigeons.
If your friend with the magic curses comes by again, have him lay one on this Jesus.
Take it from a priest, Jesus is the one who should be withered with a curse.
PETER: But Sir, it was Jesus who spoke the curse that withered this tree.
PIDGEY: You mean to tell me, it was Jesus of Nazareth who did this?
PETER: It was a fruitless tree.
PIDGEY: Why, he doesn't even devastate consistently! Where's the logic? He withers a fig tree for fruitlessness when figs aren't even in season, and he demolishes the temple businesses when it is in the most fruitful season of the year. Right at the peak of the Passover rush he comes bursting in, disrupting everything. The loss in revenues alone will be phenomenal!
PETER: I can predict a raise in temple taxes.
PIDGEY: I can't imagine why this Jesus would do such a thing! Other religious zealots at least try to get into the holiday spirit! Whatever was he thinking?
PETER: Maybe he thought there was too much commercialization of the holy season. Maybe he thought that the location of the coin exchange, right in the temple, was a profanation of the sacred. Maybe, he thought that the high cost of worship, just because it is the season for visitors to come was taking advantage of people.
PIDGEY: That is ridiculous. How could priests profane the temple. We are priests! We are the very ones who decide what is holy and what is profane, so how could he possibly make such a horrendous error in judgement as to think we were...
PETER: I thought God made decisions about what is holy and what is profane.
PIDGEY: Just think about it for a minute. God is in heaven. With God, everything looks holy. God doesn't see the real world where so many other options exist. And that is why you need the chief priests in the temple.
PETER: Why, so everything won't be holy?
