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                               MARY'S GIFT

MAIN POINT
Who hasn't heard the story of Mary's devotion to Jesus and the sacrificial offering of her perfume a hundred times? Like with many Bible stories, their familiarity is the greatest obstacle to understanding and application. This sketch seeks to breathe new life into the ancient story by giving Mary a personality. As the audience sees the fuller dimension of her painful life and background, they not only relate to her as a person, but also identify with her experience of God's grace through the person of Jesus. That's the main point here: abundant, lavish grace that stupefies the pale standards of human righteousness. God always, always, always meets a broken heart with kindness.

CHARACTERIZATION
While it's possible to play this part in biblical garb and characterization, it might be more powerful to set it in a contemporary or timeless setting. The lines are written with a contemporary flair, and the audience will have a greater surprise factor if they realize half way through who this is. It's an introspective piece, so there should be a relaxed pace with periods of lively animation and spunk. It has the full range of emotion, from deep sorrow, to great joy. But don't jump too quickly from one to the other. This piece must be felt internally to bring the right pace and interpretation.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1) Use simple clothing for the timeless setting. Black, white and gray will give you the right feel.
2) If you can darken all but a small circle of light, you'll enhance the effect.
3) Mary should make eye contact to engage the audience. But instead of panning rapidly, think of pausing long enough to make eye contact with individuals.
4) Mary should not shy away from physically enacting what she's describing. Don't be afraid to get down on your knees.
5) You can shorten this monologue by eliminating the shaded lines.

RELATED SCRIPTURES
Obviously, the story is taken from Luke 7, so that's the best scriptural link. Consider also John 8, which is the story within this story. Other passages stressing God's grace include the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, as well as Romans 8, Ephesians 2 and 1 John 3.

RELATED THEMES
Use this script with topics like grace, repentance, forgiveness or compassion on the positive side; or pride, self-righteousness and sin on the negative. Mary's sacrifice is also an act of worship, which could be another application.