Readers' Theatre: Mark 10: 35-45


Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of Mark 10: 35-45, the gospel reading for Proper 24 B (Ordinary 29 B) – the 21st Sunday after Pentecost.  It is set for three readers.

Readers’ Theatre: Mark 10: 35-45

One:     James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said,

Two:     Teacher, we want you to do us a favor.

Three:   What is your request?

Two:     When you sit on your glorious throne,
            we want to sit in places of honor next to you,
            one on your right and the other on your left.

Three:   You don’t know what you are asking!
            Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering 
            I am about to drink?
            Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering 
            I must be baptized with?”

Two:     Oh yes, we are able!

Three:   You will indeed drink from my bitter cup
            and be baptized with my baptism of suffering.
            But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left.
            God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.

One:     When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked,
            they were indignant.
            So Jesus called them together and said,

Three    You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people,
            and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
            But among you it will be different.
            Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
            and whoever wants to be first among you
            must be the slave of everyone else.
            For even the Son of Man came not to be served
            but to serve others
            and to give his life as a ransom for many.