FireQuill Publications
The
Short Stories, Plays and Bible Studies of Kathy Kearney
The
Short Stories, Plays and Bible Studies of Kathy Kearney
Your Subtitle text
The Myth Of The Mask
The Myth Of The Mask
By Kathy Kearney (c) 1985
By Kathy Kearney (c) 1985
Five characters. Child of God (COG); Fear, Rejection; Judgment; Truth.
(Narrator – off stage)When we come to know Christ, He not only breaks down borders and fences that separate us from each other, but he takes away the masks with which we've learned to cover up heartache, fear, shyness, sadness, vulnerability.
But we forget how free we are in Christ, and from time to time we re-mask, allowing fear, rejection, and judgment to tell us we need to hide our real selves, pretending we have no problem, and are fine --just fine -- when all the while our hearts are breaking and we are so alone behind masks designed to stifle our liberty in Christ.
CHILD OF GOD (COG)
(Center stage, sitting on stool, trying to read the Bible with her mask on.)
I can't understand these words lately. What is wrong with me. I used to enjoy reading my Bible--used to read it for hours. But since the mask, it doesn't bring me any comfort or knowledge of what to do. There are times when it causes pain, as though it locks me away as well as my face. I wonder what would happen, if I left it off, just this once.
FEAR
Danger! Danger! Oh, put it on, put it on. You cannot even think for a moment that you could go out without it firmly in place. (She pushes it up toward COG's face.) Quickly! Before someone sees you as you are. Put the mask on!
COG
But why? Didn't Christ accept me just as I am? If He sees me -- the real me, why should I hide from others?
FEAR
Well, of course He accepted you, He's God. But others cannot. You will cause them to take off their masks and you will all be hurt. If you all unmasked, how could you work on your weaknesses? You would all be offering suggestions to each other, and doing useless things like confessing, and sharing. (Shudders at the very thought of it) Ugh! Makes my blood run cold just thinking of all that openness. No, all you need is Christ. All the others need is Christ. Think of the mask as His gift to you, to keep you from being hurt.
(Fear starts to back away.) Remember, it's the only thing that will keep pain away. Trust me, trust me. Put on the mask! Put on the mask! (Turns away)
COG
When I came to Christ, the thing I loved most was being open with Him, just as He was with me. I believed that He held back nothing, that it was all mine. Doesn't it follow then, that my brothers and sisters should see me just as I am? Aren't we a family?
REJECTION
Stop! Stop! What are you thinking of? Have you forgotten what happened when you removed the mask and asked for prayer the other evening in Bible study? How did you feel when you openly shared that weakness you're always fighting?
COG
Oh, it was so embarrassing. I wish I hadn't told them. But even so, some came up to me afterwards and told me they would be praying for me.
REJECTION
Well of course they did. They were hoping you would go into more detail about your horrible sin. I bet they went home and laughed at your stupidity. Don't you see, without the mask you're vulnerable. Your exposed weakness marks you and sets you aside from others. Fellowship is disrupted, all because you unmasked.
COG
But aren't they my friends?
REJECTION
If you want friends, real friends, you must never let them see you as you are. The only way to be accepted is to be just like the others. You don't see them running around without their masks on, do you?
COG
But the mask hurts, it presses and pinches my face. Sometimes I feel as though I can't breathe.
REJECTION
Stop whining, you silly fool. Of course it hurts, it's supposed to hurt. Didn't God tell you that the way would be hard and narrow. You are suffering for the greater good. But one day, your face will become like the mask. Its imprint will do away with the openness of your ridiculous emotions like need, love, fear, sorrow, joy. Now quit sniveling. Shame, shame on you. You disgust God. Now put on the mask! Put on the mask! (Whirls and stands off with back to audience)
COG
(Begins to weep) Oh, it's so lonely behind the mask. I try hard to please God by keeping it on, but it's so lonely.
JUDGMENT
Lonely. Did I hear the word lonely? You silly child, you don't know the meaning of loneliness until you have to judge. All judges are lonely. Why I am lonely all the time, but do you hear me whimpering and pouting. I am proud of my loneliness for I am right and right often stands by itself. But you--you I judge to be soft--soft because you always want to help others, because you're always feeling their pain. You must admonish them to be strong. You must exhort them, push them, prod them to righteousness, or else God may become so displeased with you, that you will be judged right out of his plan and perhaps even heaven.
COG
Oh no! But aren't we to bear one another's burdens, aren't we to confess our weaknesses to one another. Did I read it wrong?
JUDGMENT
(Laughs) Yes, indeed, you read it wrong. You read it without reading between the lines. What an incompetent Christian you are. Do you think God's Word is going to be clear to someone like you. No, No. You must dig beneath the surface of the words, and see the hidden meaning. I judge you to be stupid, I judge you to be weak, I judge you to be unworthy, I judge you a danger to other Christians, I judge you, I judge you, I judge you. You are worthy of nothing but condemnation. You had better begin repenting, and repenting day and night to escape God's judgment. Now put on the mask! Put on the mask! (Disdainfully turns back on her and stands off)
COG
I don't want this mask. When I came to God, I wore a mask of self-sufficiency, and pride. Did He take one mask away, only to imprison me behind another?
But Lord, if it's your will I will wear it. (Starts to raise it to her face as all the figures circle around her urging her to put on the mask. While they can whisper to her to put the mask on, they cannot mask her, she alone must choose to lift the mask to her face.) I'm so confused! Hear me, Lord. Please send me an answer, one that will settle this issue forever.
(Their voices are getting louder as they chant.)
TRUTH
(Figure rises up from the audience) Child, listen to me!
COG
Who are you? You look familiar. You know my name.
FEAR
Don't listen to him. He's a fool. He will tell you not to be afraid of God, which is plainly commanded in the Book. He is an imposter.
TRUTH
Imposter am I? You know better than that. You also know what I am. I am love. I am perfect love. And you know what perfect love does, don't you. Tell Child what I can do.
COG
You mean God didn't send her? She's not His messenger?
TRUTH
No, Child. She's not from the Father. But watch, and learn how to be free of her.
(Turns back to FEAR) I said tell the child what perfect love can do.
FEAR
(Face twisting with hatred, she blurts out) Perfect love casts out fear.
TRUTH
Nicely said! Too bad you will never understand it. Well then, isn't someone calling you? Don't let us keep you.
FEAR
(Turns and runs out.)
TRUTH
(Turns to Rejection) Next?
REJECTION
All that I told her was for her own good. I had only her best interests at heart.
TRUTH
Oh, then did you quote from Ephesians 1:4, that my Father and I chose Child before the foundation of the world? Did you assure her that even while she was in sin, I died for her so she will inherit with me our Father's glory? Did you tell her how she is now the child of a King, a royal princess?
(Turns to COG) Is that what she told you, Child.
COG
(Shakes her head in awe, looks at TRUTH, and takes his hand, as though grasping for a lifeboat in a stormy sea)
COG
Why, no. She told me God was disgusted and ashamed of me. She made me see what a failure I really am.
TRUTH
But, Child, your salvation doesn't hinge on your failure, but our Father's victory. (turns)
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Hmm, I think I hear someone calling you. (Sniffs the air) And they're cooking something. Brimstone casarole, I think. You better be on your way, or you'll be late.
REJECTION
(Runs off the other way)
TRUTH
I always like to save the best -- or (turns to Judgement) the worst for last. You told this wonderful Child that she was judged by God to be stupid, unworthy, weak, and a danger to other believers. And oh, yes, I believe the word condemnation was mentioned as part of the package.
JUDGMENT
Oh, now. I just wanted her to not take lightly the salvation she must work so hard at to maintain. You, Yourself adhere to a strong work ethic.
TRUTH
A work, I hasten to remind you, that was finished on the Cross. (At the mention of the Cross, Judgment.) Your favorite word, Cross, Cross, Cross. Let me see, wasn't that work summed up in a wonderful verse in Romans? Wouldn't you love to quote it, Sir Judgment?
JUDGMENT
(Falls on knees) Please, don't make me say that verse.
TRUTH
I thought so. (Turns to Child.) Have you noticed, Child that none of them could put the mask on you. Remember, the only power they have is what you grant them. Now watch this. (Turns back to Judgment)
I said leave or I'll make you quote that verse and a lot more besides. And you don't like that, because my Word makes you shrink, and you think you are so big, so awesome. Boo! (Stamps foot and JUDGMENT runs and trips in his haste to depart.
TRUTH faces CHILD and holds out his hand for the mask.) Will you give it to me, Child? I didn't die so you could wear a mask. I died so the real you could be made whole and have abundant life. There is neither wholeness or life behind the mask. Please may I have it.
COG
Sir, what is that verse that Judgment would not quote?
TRUTH
It's Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Do you recognize me now, Child.
(He gently reaches over and takes the mask from her hand.)
COG
Yes, yes. You are my Savior, the One who set me free from my sin. I couldn't recognize you when I had the mask on. Oh, how can I thank you, Jesus.
TRUTH
By teaching your brothers and sisters how to take off their masks, because it keeps them from truly enjoying my salvation just as it did you. And by telling outsiders, so they can become insiders, by being freed from their masks of pride and sin.
Always remember when masks are removed by my Word it chases away anyone who is not from our Father. Tell others about Truth, and the Truth will make them free. . .I will make them free.
COG
But what if fear, rejection and judgment come again? How can I fight them if you aren't there?
TRUTH
Child, I am always with you. My Spirit lives within you, and will never leave or forsake you. My Word, the Bible, is my eternal heart written for your protection and strength. And believe me, Child there are more than those three lurking about. But my Word is the only weapon that chases them away. Will you come with me to tell others what I have told you?
COG
Where are we going?
TRUTH
Why to a masquerade, Child. There's a lot of masks in this old world that need to be taken off. But first we have one thing left to do. (Walks over and smashes the mask with the Bible, hands it to COG.) Now we can go! (EXIT)
STAGE DIRECTIONS:
Make lots of use of the aisles for characters entrances. We placed FEAR, REJECTION, JUDGMENT and CHRIST in the audience. Sort of gave the feeling that these things come from our midst. We overplayed the roles, otherwise, it comes off stilted and unreal. However, don’t ham it up, while it has its humorous spots, it isn’t a farce. We played it heavy to emphasize its truth.
After each character says lines, they step to the back behind COG and turn their backs away from the audience. They only turn back when they speak. This way they aren't entering and exiting all the time. Also when each character tries to push the mask onto COG's face, they can't do it, she must choose. All they can do is threaten.
The audience was riveted for this twenty-minute performance. The only props were a table, a chair and a Bible. We dressed JUDGMENT in a robe and had him carry a gavel, which he used on the table to emphasize his points. He was loud, intimidating and took center stage. CHRIST wore white pants and shirt. Our actor was an professional disc jockey with a magnificent voice and a build like Hercules. But his presentation, while strong and confident, was not muscular, just sure and no-nonsense. REJECTION was dressed in a long flowing dress. The actress who played this part was a statuesque blond who carried herself like a fashion model. She wore a long, silky scarf and her voice had a wheedling, commanding tone to it. She was great! FEAR was dressed like a sprite. She danced about as she circled CHILD OF GOD, and her speech was staccato-like.
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