To learn more about the original purpose for writing these monologues,
JOSEPHINE,
WOMAN WHO HAD BLED FOR 12 YEARS
MONOLOGUE
FOR EASTER
The tomb IS empty! It IS true!
On my way to the temple this morning, I learned that something has
happened which has created great excitement in Jerusalem today. It is being reported that there's been a
resurrection from the dead - Jesus of Nazareth has risen from the dead! I decided I just had to come here for myself
and make sure Jesus' grave really was empty.
You see, I am Josephine, the woman who was ill for 12 years with
hemorrhaging. He miraculously healed me
one day and I just knew he really was the Messiah, the Anointed One of Israel.
There have been many things I wanted to tell him, so I have written him a
letter. Let me read it to you.
Dear Jesus, my healer,
Until I met you that day as you walked through
my neighborhood, my life was miserable.
For twelve long years I had been bleeding abnormally. I had been to so many different doctors. I know they tried their best to find a cure
for my problem. They experimented with
any new theory they heard or read about, but for me there was no answer. My money was gone, my suffering continued and
worst of all, I was shunned by society as continually unclean. I felt so abandoned and forlorn. There were many days when I thought God must
be punishing me for something evil I had done or thought. I was brokenhearted because I would never
know the love of a man or be able to give birth to a child. I questioned whether or not I was really a
normal woman. I felt so different and
rejected. How I ached to be able to one
day hold my own flesh and blood - to have that wonderful experience of
motherhood which so many women are privileged to have. I knew in my present condition, I was without
hope. But then, I heard about you.
I had heard of great miracles which you had
performed - blind were given sight, paralyzed were made to walk, deaf were made
to hear - why couldn't my bleeding be stopped?
But for me, it seemed impossible.
I was not allowed to be amongst other people for fear of making them
unclean. Then I heard that you were
nearby.
There was a very large crowd following you,
pressing about you and I thought maybe I could slip unnoticed into that crowd
and get close enough to just touch just the edge of your garment. I was able - I touched your clothes and as I
did, I was immediately healed. I felt it
- I knew the miracle I had been praying for had happened. I wanted to just slip out of sight and return
home to quietly meditate on what had happened, but you stopped and asked who
had touched you. I saw there was no escape
so I fell at your feet in fear and told you the whole story. You then said to me, "Daughter, your
faith has healed you. Go in peace and be
freed from your suffering." How
elated I felt. You recognized me - you
blessed me - you healed me physically and spiritually.
That day I went home a changed person. You said my faith had healed me. Yes, it is true. I had great faith. I know you honored that and gave me the
greatest desire of my heart - a cure for all my problems. I can't thank you enough. I knew I needed physical healing and you knew
I also needed spiritual healing. I now
know that your death on the cross makes that healing possible and your
resurrection makes it certain. I am most
grateful for all that you have done for me.
I give you my allegiance and will always be, your faithful friend and
follower.
JOSEPHINE
(Remove costume and continue speaking.)
I, too, have a letter I've written to Jesus.
Dear Jesus,
I can relate to Josephine. I, too, have experienced being different from
most other women. My womb is
barren. I have not yet been able to
conceive a child. I long to one day
become a mother and hold my own flesh and blood in my arms. And I don't know if you will heal my
physical problem and make that dream of mine come true or not.
But this one thing I know for sure. My love for you does not depend on your
response to my deep desire to conceive and give birth to a child. Easter is so important to me today because I
know that it really shows me again that you will do what's best for me. Your death wasn't what you wanted, but it was
best for all humanity. Your love for me
took you to the cross. And I love you
for being the worthy sacrificial lamb for my sin. Whether or not you chose to bless my husband
and me with our own biological child, I give you my allegiance and aspire to
always be, your faithful friend and follower.
©Linda Groves Worden
To learn more about the original purpose for writing these monologues,
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