| Spiritual Script posted November 23, 2019 |
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One Scene Skit - 1,054 Words
Convictions
by Mystic Angel 7777
Convictions This is a one scene script dealing with the discernment between free will and divine order. It is a lesson I learned very early and have never forgotten. CHARACTERS: BISHOP – The spiritual leader of the Diocese and the person who will administer the sacrament of Confirmation. GRACE – A thirteen year old girl preparing for her Confirmation requests a meeting due to a conflict between herself and the Monsignor or her church. SETTING: The Bishop’s office for the Diocese of Joliet. It is austere by conventional standards. The business side of the room was filled with a large oak desk and a high-backed red velvet chair. Two large wooden seats stood sentinel to its holy purpose. The rest of the room was warm and welcoming. In front of an enormous fireplace, two plush settees faced each other across an ornate teak table. In the corner, the image of the Madonna looked on with a quiet smile of approval on her placid face. The kneeler before her was well worn from constant use. Fade In.
The Bishop is at his desk writing Sunday’s homily when there is a knock at the door.
BISHOP: Come in. The door opens and a nervous young girl is ushered in by the kindly priest who serves as the Bishop’s secretary.
BISHOP: Please, sit, my child. Grace takes a seat before the desk. She fidgets nervously unsure of what to do next.
BISHOP: You are very young to be requesting an audience alone. How can I help you? GRACE: I’m not sure how to start. I guess I am here to receive absolution. BISHOP: Well, I find it hard to believe that someone as innocent looking as you would be in need of any absolution at all. GRACE: Monsignor Bryan says I do need absolution for my grievous sin against the Church. Without your help, I cannot be confirmed and I know in my heart that God desires my confirmation very much. The Bishop rises and walks around the desk to stand beside her. He places a kind hand on her shoulder and beckons him to follow her to the less imposing side of the room. He orders refreshments as they repose comfortably on the settees.
BISHOP: Now let’s see if we can sort this out together. You say you have been accused of a grievous sin against the Church. Exactly what is this terrible thing you’re accused of and why should it prevent your confirmation? GRACE: It has to do with the teachings on Judas. Monsignor Bryan teaches that Judas betrayed Jesus and because of that he was condemned to eternal damnation. I don’t see it the same way. He feels that I am sinning against God and Church by not simply going along with what he says. The Bishop hands Grace a glass of sweetened iced tea, and then pours a hot cup of tea for himself.
BISHOP: And how do you see it? GRACE: I don’t think Judas had a choice. If he hadn’t betrayed Jesus, then there would be no crucifixion or resurrection. None of us would be saved which was the purpose of Jesus being here all along. BISHOP: You don’t think Judas had free will in this instance? GRACE: I think he might have betrayed the mortal man, but that he was an instrument of divine order. So, I guess he didn’t have free will to decide otherwise. The Bishop took a long sip of tea as he pondered how best to respond.
BISHOP: Grace, what does ‘free will’ mean to you? GRACE: It’s my God given right to choose. I can say yes or I can say no. The decision is totally mine and God won’t interfere even if what I decide is the wrong thing from what He wants for me. BISHOP: That’s a very good way to look at it. And what about ‘divine order’? How would you define that? GRACE: I’m not sure if this is right, but isn’t that the stuff that God must have come to pass in order for all of us to move forward? Sometimes it is bad or painful, but it has to happen. Once we get through it then good things result from having passed the test. BISHOP: Another very mature answer for such a young person. So if I understand, you are in trouble with the Monsignor because you feel that Judas was simply obeying God’s will by betraying Jesus. Is that right? GRACE: Yes. It might have been okay if he hadn’t found out that I was praying for Judas. BISHOP: Praying for him? For his release from hell? GRACE: Sort of. I was praying for his release from Purgatory for having taken his own life. I started after we learned about the Corporal and Spiritual Mercies. The Bishop rises and walks over to his desk where he begins writing a note. When finished and sealed he walks back and sits next to Grace on the settee. He hands her the note.
BISHOP: This is for you to give to Monsignor Bryan. It instructs him that we have resolved this matter to the Church’s full satisfaction and there is no further action or conversation needed. This matter is closed. GRACE: I get to be confirmed? BISHOP: Yes, my child, you certainly do as you have earned it. God wants strong and valiant soldiers in his army. You are more prepared than many three times your age. You have shown me that you not only possess a strong spiritual backbone, but that you have begun to develop a true ability to discern between what you are told and what is truly God’s will. If your heart rests in the Lord then you are safe to freely follow what it is you know to be right. I’ll tell you a secret, I pray for Judas too. He smiled and winked as he stood. He blessed her and then sent her on her way. As the door closed behind her, he headed to the kneeler to pray.
BISHOP: Thank you, Lord, for raising up such amazing souls to fight your battle here on this earth. Watch over Grace and all those like her. It is through their keen discernment and boundless compassion that the Church will continue to grow and flourish. The End.
Fade Out.
Club entry for the "Lessons Learned" event in "Life is a Stage!". Locate a writing club. Pays one point and 2 member cents. 
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