Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of Mark 7:24-37, the gospel reading for Proper 18 B (Ordinary 23 B) – the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. It is set for three readers.
Readers’ Theatre: Mark 7: 24-37
One: Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre.
He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in,
but he couldn’t keep it a secret.
Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet.
Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit,
and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter.
Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her,
Two: First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews.
It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.
Three: Yes, Lord, I know,
but even the dogs under the table
are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.
Two: Good answer!
Now go home, for the evil spirit has left your daughter.
One: And she went back to her home
and found the child lying quietly on her bed,
and the evil spirit had gone.
Once more Jesus left the neighborhood of Tyre
and passed through Sidon towards the Lake of Galilee,
and crossed the Ten Towns territory.
A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him,
and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.
Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone.
He put his fingers into the man’s ears.
Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue.
Looking up to heaven, he gave a deep sigh and said to him in Aramaic,
Two: Be opened!
One: And instantly the man could hear perfectly,
and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!
Jesus gave instructions that they should tell no one,
but the more he told them,
the more they broadcast the news.
People were absolutely amazed, and kept saying,
Three: Everything he does is wonderful!
He even makes the deaf to hear
and gives speech to those who cannot speak.
