SICK WOMAN
There’s a banquet tonight,
but I’m not invited.
The women in my town
are getting quite excited.
They’re rushing around
wondering what to wear,
and asking each other,
“How should I do my hair?”
Some are exclaiming,
“Look, what weight I’ve gained!”
They’re lucky they have dresses,
all of mine are stained!
Now, I wear dark clothes –
I have to – just in case…
They’re all sick of seeing
my embarrassed face.
If only this disease
would clear up and go!
How I’ll live twelve more years,
I will never know.
I’ve spent so much money
on doctors, glad to sell
expensive, useless potions,
that never made me well.
They really could not care
that it’s made me poor.
My money has been taken
But I have no cure.
I’m bleeding on the inside.
My body is so weak!
And what makes it worse is…
(She looks down in shame.)
many times, I leak.
I’m scared to go outside,
but today, I know I must,
even though I will receive
some looks of disgust.
I never travel far,
but I’m desperate today.
This is one time,
I don’t care what they say.
(Long pause.)
I can see him from the distance,
but oh, there’s such a crowd!
He will not hear my shout
even if it’s very loud.
(She pushes past people in the crowd who are being quite hostile and refusing to move.)
I need to get near him.
I’ll push my way through.
Oh no! Other people,
have the same idea too!
I’ll crawl on the ground
and grab his garment from below.
I need to touch him
before he decides to go.
(She falls to her knees and leans forward on her elbows.)
Just one touch
should be enough for me.
He won’t even know
and nobody will see.
Just one touch,
it won’t be a hassle.
All I need to do,
is finger a tassel.
They say he’s God Almighty,
they say he’s Love Astounding.
I believe in his power,
even though my heart is pounding.
Just one touch.
My deed shall be concealed.
I’ll grab it and run…
Oh no! I’ve been healed!
The shock’s made me let go!
The hem, I have dropped!
My body feels so strange!
The flow of blood has stopped!
I’ve spent my life
trying to get better,
instead, all of my clothes
have got wetter and wetter.
Now, I want to scream!
I want to hug him and cry!
I touched his clothes
and now mine are dry!
(gasps)
He’s stopped and turned around!
Does he know my flow has ceased?
JESUS
Somebody has touched me,
Power has been released.
DISCIPLE
Ha! Now come on Jesus,
there are hundreds here,
yet you are asking why
someone has got too near?
JESUS
The power of God
has healed someone today!
(The woman turns her head to the audience while still on her knees.)
HEALED WOMAN
Shall I own up?
What will he say?
(She looks up at Jesus.)
It’s me, Lord, I touched you,
I meant to do no harm.
(She looks down to the ground and places a hand on her chest.)
He looks at me so lovingly,
I feel such peace and calm!
(Jesus holds out his hand and reaches hers, then slowly raise her up to her feet. They both stare into each other’s eyes.)
He’s put his arms around me.
His eyes cut through my soul.
JESUS
You are healed, my daughter.
Your faith has made you whole.
NARRATOR
And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart.
(pause)
Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks, finds. And to those who knock, it will be opened.
(Jer 29:13 & Matt 7:7-8)
-The End-
