Whose Work Is It?
Drama
SUNDAY MORNING READERS' THEATER
Cast: Two women, EUODIA and SYNTYCHE, and one man, CLEMENT
Length:
10 minutes
The two women are seated on their stools with an empty stool between them. CLEMENT enters excitedly, waving a letter.
CLEMENT: Euodia! Syntyche! Paul has sent us another letter! Epaphroditus just brought it.
SYNTYCHE: Oh, Clement! That's so wonderful. I just don't know what we would do without Paul's advice.
EUODIA:
Yes. It's hard starting a new church as part of a new religion. Harder than I ever expected.
CLEMENT: (Taking his seat) But you two have certainly given everything you could to make it happen. You're the hardest working people in all of Philippi.
EUODIA: Oh, Clement! You'll make us blush.
CLEMENT: No, really! Even Paul has said so. Often. You two are the backbone of the church.
SYNTYCHE: We do what we can, but it is so frustrating at times.
EUODIA: It certainly is!
CLEMENT: If only we had actually known Jesus! I'm sure that would have made a world of difference.
EUODIA:
Do you really think so? I'm not so sure. It seems as if even the brothers and sisters who did know him are having a difficult time adjusting to his leaving.
SYNTYCHE: At least we have Paul to show us the way.
EUODIA:
Yes. That's right. Dear Paul! So what does his letter say?
CLEMENT: (Reading) "Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
SYNTYCHE: Paul is always so polite.
EUODIA:
Don't interrupt, Syntyche. Go on, Clement.
CLEMENT: (Reading) "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ."
SYNTYCHE: What does he mean, "the one who began a good work?" Who is he talking about? Paul himself is the only one who began anything with us.
EUODIA:
He means Jesus Christ, silly.
SYNTYCHE: (Ominously) Now don't start calling names!
EUODIA:
Sorry. Go ahead, Clement.
CLEMENT: "It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart ..."
SYNTYCHE: (Interrupting) Oh, we do, we do!
CLEMENT: "... for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel."
SYNTYCHE: I know I do. I pray for Paul every day. Every single day!
EUODIA:
(Furiously) Syntyche! If you don't stop interrupting, I'll ... I'll ...
SYNTYCHE: (Equally furiously) You'll what?
CLEMENT: Wait a minute! What's going on here?
EUODIA:
Nothing!
SYNTYCHE: Nothing!
CLEMENT: Well, if you ask me, you two are not acting in a very Christian manner. What would Paul think?
The two women glare at him.
CLEMENT: (Clearing his throat) Well, going on ... "For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love will overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what is best ..."
EUODIA:
(Interrupting) That's exactly what we need, to determine what is best.
SYNTYCHE: Now who's interrupting?
CLEMENT: What do you mean, Euodia? Best for what?
EUODIA:
Nothing. I didn't mean anything.
SYNTYCHE: (To herself) You never do.
EUODIA:
(Suspiciously) What was that?
SYNTYCHE: Nothing.
CLEMENT: (Looking worried) Perhaps we should finish.
SYNTYCHE: Yes, do, Clement. Don't let these interruptions distract you.
CLEMENT: I'm trying not to. (Reading) "... so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God."
SYNTYCHE: (Sighing) How true that is! How true!
EUODIA:
(Furiously) It's not true at all and you know it.
CLEMENT: (Bewildered) Ladies! Ladies!
EUODIA: Clement! You stay out of this.
CLEMENT: I ... I ...
SYNTYCHE: Go ahead, Euodia. You've been spoiling for a fight for weeks now. What's on your mind? Spit it out!
EUODIA: You know very well what's on my mind.
SYNTYCHE: Oh, yeah? Well, then why did I ask?
EUODIA: You're trying to humiliate me by forcing me to say it.
CLEMENT: Well, you're going to have to say it for me, 'cause I don't have a clue what's going on.
EUODIA: This has nothing to do with you, Clement.
CLEMENT: If you women are fighting, it has everything to do with me. If you are fighting, the church will suffer. You women are too important to us to let this go on. You have struggled alongside Paul and the rest of us in the work of the gospel. We need you to be of one mind.
EUODIA: Yes, I see how important that is.
CLEMENT: Good! Now, Euodia, tell Syntyche what's bothering you.
EUODIA: She already knows.
SYNTYCHE: (Trying to defend herself) I don't ...
EUODIA: She knows that I haven't been feeling very well lately ...
SYNTYCHE: I can't ...
CLEMENT: Syntyche, let Euodia talk.
EUODIA:
And yet she keeps asking me to do more and more. I'm so tired. It's not enough that I have to preach at every meeting, she also expects me to arrange the hospitality meal afterwards. (Putting her head in her hands) I just get so tired!
SYNTYCHE: (To CLEMENT) I had no idea!
CLEMENT: Don't tell me. Tell her!
SYNTYCHE: Euodia, I'm sorry. I didn't know. There's just so much that has to get done, and I guess, well, I guess I just didn't think. You did tell me you weren't feeling well, but, I just forgot.
EUODIA: (Desperately) Sometimes I feel that I just can't go on like this.
SYNTYCHE: Oh, that's too bad. Because you're so good at these things. Nobody can preach the gospel like you do. So many people have come to believe in Jesus because of you.
EUODIA:
(Wildly) But there are so many more. So very many!
SYNTYCHE: Yes, but you're not expected to do it all.
EUODIA:
Sometimes it seems that way.
SYNTYCHE: I know. But it's just like what Paul said in his letter, the one Clement just read to us.
EUODIA: What did he say?
SYNTYCHE: He said that the one who begins a good work in you will also bring it to its completion.
EUODIA:
He will?
CLEMENT: He will?
SYNTYCHE: That's what Paul said. It's Jesus Christ that does the work, and Jesus Christ who sees it through. In those we minister to, and in us, as well. If we ever learn to let our love overflow for each other, it will be his doing, not ours.
EUODIA:
But what happens when we've too much to do? What happens when we're too tired to go on?
SYNTYCHE: Then it's his power that keeps us going. And it's his loving-kindness that tells us to stop and take a break.
EUODIA:
That's exactly what I need right now - a break.
CLEMENT: And you shall have it!
EUODIA:
But there's so much to do. What if Jesus comes back and it's not all done. What will he think of me?
SYNTYCHE: He'll think you're human.
CLEMENT: And he'll think you're pure and blameless. Because you are.
SYNTYCHE: And you are a producer of the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.
EUODIA: So I don't have to do it all in my own strength.
SYNTYCHE: You couldn't even if you wanted to.
EUODIA: (Laughs) No, I guess I just proved that.
SYNTYCHE: When Jesus comes back, in the day of Jesus Christ, he will find us relying on his strength to accomplish what he wants done. Not driving ourselves crazy trying to do it all.
EUODIA: That makes me feel a lot better.
SYNTYCHE: So let's get you home and settle you in the garden with a good book and a cool drink.
EUODIA: Are you sure I should?
SYNTYCHE: Absolutely! And don't get up until you feel 100 percent better.
The two women begin to walk off arm in arm.
EUODIA:
(Pausing) But, there's that report due ...
CLEMENT: So what's the matter now?
EUODIA:
(Looking back over her shoulder) Nothing.
CLEMENT: Syntyche?
SYNTYCHE: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
They all laugh.
EUODIA:
(Over her shoulder) Thanks, Clement.
SYNTYCHE: For everything.
CLEMENT gives a little wave and walks off in the opposite direction.
EUODIA:It certainly is!
Length:
10 minutes
The two women are seated on their stools with an empty stool between them. CLEMENT enters excitedly, waving a letter.
CLEMENT: Euodia! Syntyche! Paul has sent us another letter! Epaphroditus just brought it.
SYNTYCHE: Oh, Clement! That's so wonderful. I just don't know what we would do without Paul's advice.
EUODIA:
Yes. It's hard starting a new church as part of a new religion. Harder than I ever expected.
CLEMENT: (Taking his seat) But you two have certainly given everything you could to make it happen. You're the hardest working people in all of Philippi.
EUODIA: Oh, Clement! You'll make us blush.
CLEMENT: No, really! Even Paul has said so. Often. You two are the backbone of the church.
SYNTYCHE: We do what we can, but it is so frustrating at times.
EUODIA: It certainly is!
CLEMENT: If only we had actually known Jesus! I'm sure that would have made a world of difference.
EUODIA:
Do you really think so? I'm not so sure. It seems as if even the brothers and sisters who did know him are having a difficult time adjusting to his leaving.
SYNTYCHE: At least we have Paul to show us the way.
EUODIA:
Yes. That's right. Dear Paul! So what does his letter say?
CLEMENT: (Reading) "Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
SYNTYCHE: Paul is always so polite.
EUODIA:
Don't interrupt, Syntyche. Go on, Clement.
CLEMENT: (Reading) "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ."
SYNTYCHE: What does he mean, "the one who began a good work?" Who is he talking about? Paul himself is the only one who began anything with us.
EUODIA:
He means Jesus Christ, silly.
SYNTYCHE: (Ominously) Now don't start calling names!
EUODIA:
Sorry. Go ahead, Clement.
CLEMENT: "It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart ..."
SYNTYCHE: (Interrupting) Oh, we do, we do!
CLEMENT: "... for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel."
SYNTYCHE: I know I do. I pray for Paul every day. Every single day!
EUODIA:
(Furiously) Syntyche! If you don't stop interrupting, I'll ... I'll ...
SYNTYCHE: (Equally furiously) You'll what?
CLEMENT: Wait a minute! What's going on here?
EUODIA:
Nothing!
SYNTYCHE: Nothing!
CLEMENT: Well, if you ask me, you two are not acting in a very Christian manner. What would Paul think?
The two women glare at him.
CLEMENT: (Clearing his throat) Well, going on ... "For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love will overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what is best ..."
EUODIA:
(Interrupting) That's exactly what we need, to determine what is best.
SYNTYCHE: Now who's interrupting?
CLEMENT: What do you mean, Euodia? Best for what?
EUODIA:
Nothing. I didn't mean anything.
SYNTYCHE: (To herself) You never do.
EUODIA:
(Suspiciously) What was that?
SYNTYCHE: Nothing.
CLEMENT: (Looking worried) Perhaps we should finish.
SYNTYCHE: Yes, do, Clement. Don't let these interruptions distract you.
CLEMENT: I'm trying not to. (Reading) "... so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God."
SYNTYCHE: (Sighing) How true that is! How true!
EUODIA:
(Furiously) It's not true at all and you know it.
CLEMENT: (Bewildered) Ladies! Ladies!
EUODIA: Clement! You stay out of this.
CLEMENT: I ... I ...
SYNTYCHE: Go ahead, Euodia. You've been spoiling for a fight for weeks now. What's on your mind? Spit it out!
EUODIA: You know very well what's on my mind.
SYNTYCHE: Oh, yeah? Well, then why did I ask?
EUODIA: You're trying to humiliate me by forcing me to say it.
CLEMENT: Well, you're going to have to say it for me, 'cause I don't have a clue what's going on.
EUODIA: This has nothing to do with you, Clement.
CLEMENT: If you women are fighting, it has everything to do with me. If you are fighting, the church will suffer. You women are too important to us to let this go on. You have struggled alongside Paul and the rest of us in the work of the gospel. We need you to be of one mind.
EUODIA: Yes, I see how important that is.
CLEMENT: Good! Now, Euodia, tell Syntyche what's bothering you.
EUODIA: She already knows.
SYNTYCHE: (Trying to defend herself) I don't ...
EUODIA: She knows that I haven't been feeling very well lately ...
SYNTYCHE: I can't ...
CLEMENT: Syntyche, let Euodia talk.
EUODIA:
And yet she keeps asking me to do more and more. I'm so tired. It's not enough that I have to preach at every meeting, she also expects me to arrange the hospitality meal afterwards. (Putting her head in her hands) I just get so tired!
SYNTYCHE: (To CLEMENT) I had no idea!
CLEMENT: Don't tell me. Tell her!
SYNTYCHE: Euodia, I'm sorry. I didn't know. There's just so much that has to get done, and I guess, well, I guess I just didn't think. You did tell me you weren't feeling well, but, I just forgot.
EUODIA: (Desperately) Sometimes I feel that I just can't go on like this.
SYNTYCHE: Oh, that's too bad. Because you're so good at these things. Nobody can preach the gospel like you do. So many people have come to believe in Jesus because of you.
EUODIA:
(Wildly) But there are so many more. So very many!
SYNTYCHE: Yes, but you're not expected to do it all.
EUODIA:
Sometimes it seems that way.
SYNTYCHE: I know. But it's just like what Paul said in his letter, the one Clement just read to us.
EUODIA: What did he say?
SYNTYCHE: He said that the one who begins a good work in you will also bring it to its completion.
EUODIA:
He will?
CLEMENT: He will?
SYNTYCHE: That's what Paul said. It's Jesus Christ that does the work, and Jesus Christ who sees it through. In those we minister to, and in us, as well. If we ever learn to let our love overflow for each other, it will be his doing, not ours.
EUODIA:
But what happens when we've too much to do? What happens when we're too tired to go on?
SYNTYCHE: Then it's his power that keeps us going. And it's his loving-kindness that tells us to stop and take a break.
EUODIA:
That's exactly what I need right now - a break.
CLEMENT: And you shall have it!
EUODIA:
But there's so much to do. What if Jesus comes back and it's not all done. What will he think of me?
SYNTYCHE: He'll think you're human.
CLEMENT: And he'll think you're pure and blameless. Because you are.
SYNTYCHE: And you are a producer of the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.
EUODIA: So I don't have to do it all in my own strength.
SYNTYCHE: You couldn't even if you wanted to.
EUODIA: (Laughs) No, I guess I just proved that.
SYNTYCHE: When Jesus comes back, in the day of Jesus Christ, he will find us relying on his strength to accomplish what he wants done. Not driving ourselves crazy trying to do it all.
EUODIA: That makes me feel a lot better.
SYNTYCHE: So let's get you home and settle you in the garden with a good book and a cool drink.
EUODIA: Are you sure I should?
SYNTYCHE: Absolutely! And don't get up until you feel 100 percent better.
The two women begin to walk off arm in arm.
EUODIA:
(Pausing) But, there's that report due ...
CLEMENT: So what's the matter now?
EUODIA:
(Looking back over her shoulder) Nothing.
CLEMENT: Syntyche?
SYNTYCHE: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
They all laugh.
EUODIA:
(Over her shoulder) Thanks, Clement.
SYNTYCHE: For everything.
CLEMENT gives a little wave and walks off in the opposite direction.
EUODIA:It certainly is!
