Cycle A Skit A8 Skit Baptism of Christ, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Skit first performed Sunday, January 16, 2005)

Cycle A

A8 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Written by Joan Y. Edwards

Based on the following Gospels:

First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Baptism of Jesus Christ

Matthew 3:13-17 New American Bible

(Inbetween information)

John 1:15-28 New American Bible

Gospel Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 1:29-34 New American Bible

Characters:

Narrator

John the Baptist

Jesus

God in the heavens

Dove – Holy Spirit

Fruits and other gifts to hand out to the crowds (give 5 loves away, they get 10 loves back or give 5 different gifts away, they get 10 different gifts back):

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

wisdom, counsel, understanding, knowledge, skills, faith, ability to heal, working of miracles, prophecy of God’s will, casting out demons, and speaking different languages, strength and power to resist attack, religious devotion and reverence for God, and fear of the Lord mixed with love and hope.

Lamb of God (sacrifice for mankind)

2 Temple Priests

2 Levites-Members of the Hebrew Tribe of Levi who provide male assistants to the temple priests

2 Pharisees

1 man being baptized

1 woman being baptized

teacher

2 students

Props:

Sky opened up

Doves with gifts of Holy Spirit written on them:

Narrator: One day as John the Baptist was down by the Jordan River preaching and baptizing with water.

John: Repent for your sins. Tell God that you are sorry for your sins. Make certain you do not sin again. I baptize you with water. One who follows me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Sarah: Baptize me, John. I am truly sorry for my sins.

Jacob: I am sorry for my sins, too. Baptize me.

John: Come into the river with me. (John pours water with a big shell over each person and puts his hands on their heads, one at a time) I baptize you with water in the name of almighty God. (John sees Jesus approaching.)

Jesus: Baptize me, John.

John: You should baptize me, and yet you want me to baptize you.

Jesus: Allow it now, for it is fitting and right for us to fulfill the scriptures.

John: Very well, I shall do as you ask. I baptize you with water in the name of almighty God that you might be known to all of Israel.

Narrator: After Jesus was baptized, he walked out of the water. The sky opened up and John saw the Spirit of

God descending like a dove upon him. And a voice came from the heavens:

God: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

Narrator: Later temple priests, their Levite assistants, and the Pharisees came to question John the Baptist.

Priests, Levites, and Pharisees: Who are you?

John: I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.

Priest #1: Are you a prophet?

John: No. I simply baptize with water; but there is one here unknown to you,

who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.

Pharisee#1: Are you the Messiah?

John: No. (Jesus walks by) That man is. Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

Priest #2: How do you know he is the Messiah?

John: I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” Now I have seen and testify that he is the Son of God.

Narrator: Now we go a few thousand years to St. John Neumann Catholic Church where children have just heard today’s Gospel read to them:

Teacher: Where have you heard “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?”

Student #1: The priest and the people in church say it during Mass before communion.

Student #2: Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Student #1: Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Student #1 and #2: Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Teacher: When is it that the Holy Spirit comes down on us?

Student #1: Confirmation.

Student #2: When the Holy Spirit comes he fills you with personal character traits – fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to lead a Christian life.

Teacher: What gifts does the Holy Spirit give to God’s children to help them minister to others?

Student #1: Wisdom, counsel, understanding, knowledge, skills, faith, ability to heal, working of miracles, foretelling the will of God for the future, casting out demons, and speaking different languages, strength and power to resist attack, religious devotion and reverence for God, and fear of the Lord mixed with love and hope.

Teacher: Do you think that the Holy Spirit only comes to people when they are confirmed?

Student #2: No, I think he just comes more strongly after you are confirmed. Confirmation gives you a stronger dose of the Holy Spirits’ powers to help you survive along the path to heaven’s gates.

Teacher: What do you think the Holy Spirit wants you to do with the gifts he gives you? When Jesus says to you, “Receive thee the Holy Spirit. It is up to you whether you use these gifts or leave them on the shelf.

Student #1: I think he wants us to keep what we need to help make us strong and then share the rest with others.

Student #2: What you give away God will give back to you double and sometimes more.

Teacher: Do you believe that?

Student #1 and Student #2: Oh, yes. (Student #1, Student #2 and other students talk together for about ten seconds) Let us show you. See these gifts in our pockets. We are going out into the church and give our gifts away. When we get back, we’ll check and see how many gifts are left. (Student #1 and Student #2 and other students go out into the congregation and hand out all the gifts)

(All Students return to the altar and check their pockets.)

Student #1: Wow! I gave away 5 gifts. I now have 10. I received two times as many gifts in return.

Student #2: Hey, look at this. I gave away 10 gifts and now I have 30. I received three times as many gifts.

Teacher: It goes to show you that Jesus gave up his life for you so that your sins may be forgiven. The least you can do for him is to share what he has given you with others. God will reward you.

Narrator: The people at St. John Neumann Parish choose to use and share their gifts from the Holy Spirit. They are so very thankful to God for his gift of Jesus Christ, for baptism and the forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Spirit. They choose to use and share these gifts with others time after time after time. Amen.