The Way To Golgotha
Drama
Women Of Calvary
A Play For Lent
Characters
Mary, mother of Jesus
Salome, mother of James and John
Mary, mother of James and Joseph
Mary, mother of Mark
John
Setting
Room in the home of Mary, mother of Jesus
(Mary, mother of Jesus, and Salome are sitting in a small room.)
Mary, mother of Jesus: I am so grateful that you are here with me, Salome. I can hardly believe what you are telling me -- that my son has been arrested and is now before the high priest.
Salome: That is why I had to come to you as soon as I could. I was afraid that you would hear it from someone else.
Mary, mother of Jesus: I knew he was celebrating the Passover with his friends and that you and some of the other women were preparing the meal, but please tell me what happened afterward.
Salome: After the meal, they went to the garden. You know how the Master loves that place. It is so peaceful and quiet. As they went down the hill, they were singing. It was a lovely night with a full moon. I cannot bear to think that such beauty could bring forth such evil.
Mary, mother of Jesus: And then?
Salome: We were talking together about the meal, how well everything had gone. Then we heard shouting and yelling, and soon Mark rushed in to tell us that the temple guards had arrested him and were taking him to the high priest.
Mary, mother of Jesus: What happened to the others? Did they arrest them, too?
Salome: No, only the Master. In all the turmoil, Mark said he was afraid and started to run away. He looked back once and saw Peter and John following along, but he didn't see the others.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Why haven't we heard something? It has been hours since they arrested him.
Salome: I am sure there is some mistake. The high priests will have to let him go. After all, he has done nothing.
Mary, mother of Jesus: It is because he speaks the truth and they do not want the truth. They do not understand his mission. They think he has come to destroy the law.
Salome: But the people understand him and love him. Look how they crowd around him, listening to every word, and following him everywhere. Look at the miracles he has done, healing the sick and the blind.
Mary, mother of Jesus: It is for that reason he is more powerful than they are. Where are Peter and John? It is now late morning. They must know something. I must go and find them. I must know what is happening.
Salome: It isn't safe to go out. You must stay here. Surely the high priest will do nothing. After all, it is not lawful to have the Sanhedrin meet at night. They will have to meet in the day, and since it is Passover, I don't think they can do anything.
Mary, mother of Jesus: They hate him. It is because my son speaks the truth. He speaks of the Father's love, and those that follow him will walk not in darkness but in the light. But sometimes I wish he had never left Nazareth, that he had become a carpenter like his father.
Salome: But if he had stayed there, we would never have known him. We would never have known of God's love and his kingdom. Oh, I know we are taught to worship the true God and obey his laws and to take our offerings to the temple, but at times it seems meaningless --ajust words. But the Master makes it come alive. I am glad he did not stay in Nazareth. What was he like as a boy?
Mary, mother of Jesus: In my heart, he has always been set apart, someone special. I gave thanks to God the night he was born in a stable far from home. He was such a beautiful baby, but I am sure every mother says that. I remember when we went to the temple for the purification. There was a holy man there named Simeon. He blessed my son and said that many would fall and rise because of him. I did not understand, but it was a knife in my heart. After that, we fled to Egypt.
Salome: But you went back to Nazareth later?
Mary, mother of Jesus: It was a good life there. My son was growing up a fine young man and a great comfort to Joseph and me. We used to go to Jerusalem each year for the Passover. I remember one time when he was twelve. When we left with the others to return home, he was not with us. We thought at first he was with another group, but that night he didn't return, so we had to retrace our steps. Three days later, we found him.
Salome: Where was he? You must have been terribly worried.
Mary, mother of Jesus: We were, but there he was in the temple, talking with the rabbis just as naturally as if he had been there all his life. They were asking questions and seemed astonished at his answers.
Salome: You were a good mother, Mary. I am sure you brought him up well in the knowledge and history of our people.
Mary, mother of Jesus: He was a big help when Joseph died. But later, he told me of his mission; that he believed God had sent him to tell people of God's kingdom -- that he must go out into the world. Somehow, from that moment, I knew this day would come, but not in this manner.
Salome: Try and be patient. All we know is that he was arrested by the temple guards and brought before the chief priests. Even if they do have a trial, they will need to get witnesses and that takes time.
Mary, mother of Jesus: When men are in power, they can do anything.
(Mary, mother of Mark, and Mary, mother of James, enter.)
Mary, mother of James: Oh, Mary and Salome. It is terrible. The high priests have taken the Master to Pilate. The Sanhedrin has met, and they have said he is guilty of blasphemy. They are telling Pilate that the Master is an enemy of Rome.
Salome: That is utter nonsense. What has he ever done to Rome?
Mary, mother of Mark: They are saying he said he was the Son of God and speaks of his kingdom.
Mary, mother of James: That is enough to get the Romans mad. They can have only one king.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Surely they know he is speaking of the kingdom of God.
Mary, mother of Mark: The high priests are saying he blasphemed; that he is telling lies. They are the ones who are telling lies.
Salome: I cannot understand why the Sanhedrin had him brought before Pilate. They have the right to make decisions in matters like this of blasphemy.
Mary, mother of Mark: It is because they are afraid of what the people will do. If they can bring him before Pilate on a charge of treason, then they will not be guilty of the final decision, and the people cannot turn against them and cause trouble.
Mary, mother of James: Perhaps if he goes before Pilate, he will release him. Pilate doesn't want any trouble. He must know how the people love the Master.
Mary, mother of Mark: He probably doesn't know anything about the people. But, I understand his wife has been seen in the crowds around the Master, and one day she was at the temple when he was speaking. I wonder if she would have any influence?
Mary, mother of James: Do you remember what the Master prophesied? That the temple would be destroyed in three days? That was enough to make Caiaphas furious.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Caiaphas is ruled by his father-in-law, Ananias. I do not trust him at all.
Salome: This must be terrible for you, Mary. How can you bear it?
Mary, mother of Jesus: The hardest part is the waiting and waiting and not knowing. But, I believe in my son. I know he has done nothing wrong. He is only carrying out his mission.
John: (enters) Mary, they are giving our Master to Golgotha to be crucified. Pilate has decided. He has given in to the high priests.
All together: Oh, no, no, no.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Oh, my Lord, have mercy on me. (falls into the arms of John)
John: Pilate did not want to sentence him. He kept stalling and saying he could find no fault in the Master. But the high priests said the Master was guilty of treason. He had declared himself a king, and Pilate would be responsible to Rome if he did not denounce Jesus. The mob kept yelling at him to free Barabbas and crucify Jesus. It was horrible. I cannot understand how they could turn against him. Just a few days ago, they were waving palms and praising him.
Mary, mother of Mark: It is the work of the priests. They have turned the people against the Master, and they stir up the mobs.
Mary, mother of Jesus: I must go. I must be there.
John: No, Mary, you must not go. It will break your heart to see him. He has been scourged and his back is torn and bleeding. They have placed a crown of thorns on his head which is tearing his skin. It is not safe to go on the streets.
Mary, mother of Jesus: I must go. I must be there to share his agony and suffering. I want to remember in these last hours, those first hours of life when I held him in my arms and the world was before him. Now that world has come to an end. If I could only take away his agony and pain, but I know and I believe that he has come from God and will return to God, and because of him, there will be a new life, a new world, and a new peace. God, give me strength to hold fast. May his love uphold me during these hours to come. Come, let us go.
The Others: We will go with you. (all slowly leave the stage)
Mary, mother of Jesus
Salome, mother of James and John
Mary, mother of James and Joseph
Mary, mother of Mark
John
Setting
Room in the home of Mary, mother of Jesus
(Mary, mother of Jesus, and Salome are sitting in a small room.)
Mary, mother of Jesus: I am so grateful that you are here with me, Salome. I can hardly believe what you are telling me -- that my son has been arrested and is now before the high priest.
Salome: That is why I had to come to you as soon as I could. I was afraid that you would hear it from someone else.
Mary, mother of Jesus: I knew he was celebrating the Passover with his friends and that you and some of the other women were preparing the meal, but please tell me what happened afterward.
Salome: After the meal, they went to the garden. You know how the Master loves that place. It is so peaceful and quiet. As they went down the hill, they were singing. It was a lovely night with a full moon. I cannot bear to think that such beauty could bring forth such evil.
Mary, mother of Jesus: And then?
Salome: We were talking together about the meal, how well everything had gone. Then we heard shouting and yelling, and soon Mark rushed in to tell us that the temple guards had arrested him and were taking him to the high priest.
Mary, mother of Jesus: What happened to the others? Did they arrest them, too?
Salome: No, only the Master. In all the turmoil, Mark said he was afraid and started to run away. He looked back once and saw Peter and John following along, but he didn't see the others.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Why haven't we heard something? It has been hours since they arrested him.
Salome: I am sure there is some mistake. The high priests will have to let him go. After all, he has done nothing.
Mary, mother of Jesus: It is because he speaks the truth and they do not want the truth. They do not understand his mission. They think he has come to destroy the law.
Salome: But the people understand him and love him. Look how they crowd around him, listening to every word, and following him everywhere. Look at the miracles he has done, healing the sick and the blind.
Mary, mother of Jesus: It is for that reason he is more powerful than they are. Where are Peter and John? It is now late morning. They must know something. I must go and find them. I must know what is happening.
Salome: It isn't safe to go out. You must stay here. Surely the high priest will do nothing. After all, it is not lawful to have the Sanhedrin meet at night. They will have to meet in the day, and since it is Passover, I don't think they can do anything.
Mary, mother of Jesus: They hate him. It is because my son speaks the truth. He speaks of the Father's love, and those that follow him will walk not in darkness but in the light. But sometimes I wish he had never left Nazareth, that he had become a carpenter like his father.
Salome: But if he had stayed there, we would never have known him. We would never have known of God's love and his kingdom. Oh, I know we are taught to worship the true God and obey his laws and to take our offerings to the temple, but at times it seems meaningless --ajust words. But the Master makes it come alive. I am glad he did not stay in Nazareth. What was he like as a boy?
Mary, mother of Jesus: In my heart, he has always been set apart, someone special. I gave thanks to God the night he was born in a stable far from home. He was such a beautiful baby, but I am sure every mother says that. I remember when we went to the temple for the purification. There was a holy man there named Simeon. He blessed my son and said that many would fall and rise because of him. I did not understand, but it was a knife in my heart. After that, we fled to Egypt.
Salome: But you went back to Nazareth later?
Mary, mother of Jesus: It was a good life there. My son was growing up a fine young man and a great comfort to Joseph and me. We used to go to Jerusalem each year for the Passover. I remember one time when he was twelve. When we left with the others to return home, he was not with us. We thought at first he was with another group, but that night he didn't return, so we had to retrace our steps. Three days later, we found him.
Salome: Where was he? You must have been terribly worried.
Mary, mother of Jesus: We were, but there he was in the temple, talking with the rabbis just as naturally as if he had been there all his life. They were asking questions and seemed astonished at his answers.
Salome: You were a good mother, Mary. I am sure you brought him up well in the knowledge and history of our people.
Mary, mother of Jesus: He was a big help when Joseph died. But later, he told me of his mission; that he believed God had sent him to tell people of God's kingdom -- that he must go out into the world. Somehow, from that moment, I knew this day would come, but not in this manner.
Salome: Try and be patient. All we know is that he was arrested by the temple guards and brought before the chief priests. Even if they do have a trial, they will need to get witnesses and that takes time.
Mary, mother of Jesus: When men are in power, they can do anything.
(Mary, mother of Mark, and Mary, mother of James, enter.)
Mary, mother of James: Oh, Mary and Salome. It is terrible. The high priests have taken the Master to Pilate. The Sanhedrin has met, and they have said he is guilty of blasphemy. They are telling Pilate that the Master is an enemy of Rome.
Salome: That is utter nonsense. What has he ever done to Rome?
Mary, mother of Mark: They are saying he said he was the Son of God and speaks of his kingdom.
Mary, mother of James: That is enough to get the Romans mad. They can have only one king.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Surely they know he is speaking of the kingdom of God.
Mary, mother of Mark: The high priests are saying he blasphemed; that he is telling lies. They are the ones who are telling lies.
Salome: I cannot understand why the Sanhedrin had him brought before Pilate. They have the right to make decisions in matters like this of blasphemy.
Mary, mother of Mark: It is because they are afraid of what the people will do. If they can bring him before Pilate on a charge of treason, then they will not be guilty of the final decision, and the people cannot turn against them and cause trouble.
Mary, mother of James: Perhaps if he goes before Pilate, he will release him. Pilate doesn't want any trouble. He must know how the people love the Master.
Mary, mother of Mark: He probably doesn't know anything about the people. But, I understand his wife has been seen in the crowds around the Master, and one day she was at the temple when he was speaking. I wonder if she would have any influence?
Mary, mother of James: Do you remember what the Master prophesied? That the temple would be destroyed in three days? That was enough to make Caiaphas furious.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Caiaphas is ruled by his father-in-law, Ananias. I do not trust him at all.
Salome: This must be terrible for you, Mary. How can you bear it?
Mary, mother of Jesus: The hardest part is the waiting and waiting and not knowing. But, I believe in my son. I know he has done nothing wrong. He is only carrying out his mission.
John: (enters) Mary, they are giving our Master to Golgotha to be crucified. Pilate has decided. He has given in to the high priests.
All together: Oh, no, no, no.
Mary, mother of Jesus: Oh, my Lord, have mercy on me. (falls into the arms of John)
John: Pilate did not want to sentence him. He kept stalling and saying he could find no fault in the Master. But the high priests said the Master was guilty of treason. He had declared himself a king, and Pilate would be responsible to Rome if he did not denounce Jesus. The mob kept yelling at him to free Barabbas and crucify Jesus. It was horrible. I cannot understand how they could turn against him. Just a few days ago, they were waving palms and praising him.
Mary, mother of Mark: It is the work of the priests. They have turned the people against the Master, and they stir up the mobs.
Mary, mother of Jesus: I must go. I must be there.
John: No, Mary, you must not go. It will break your heart to see him. He has been scourged and his back is torn and bleeding. They have placed a crown of thorns on his head which is tearing his skin. It is not safe to go on the streets.
Mary, mother of Jesus: I must go. I must be there to share his agony and suffering. I want to remember in these last hours, those first hours of life when I held him in my arms and the world was before him. Now that world has come to an end. If I could only take away his agony and pain, but I know and I believe that he has come from God and will return to God, and because of him, there will be a new life, a new world, and a new peace. God, give me strength to hold fast. May his love uphold me during these hours to come. Come, let us go.
The Others: We will go with you. (all slowly leave the stage)
