Seán Walsh: The Trap
A little bit of drama…
THE TRAP
EMPTY SPACE… ARENA. “IN THE ROUND”
OR A STAGE IN A HALL… 0R TO ONE SIDE IN A CHURCH…
JESUS IS NEITHER SEEN NOR HEARD; HE IS
IN THE AUDIENCE, SO TO SPEAK… HIS LINES,
SO FAMILIAR, GO UNSPOKEN…
SEVERAL SCRIBES AND PHARISEES ENTER
FROM DIFFERENT EXITS AND FORM
A LINE IN MID-ARENA – ELBOW TO ELBOW,
UNITED, INTENT, DETERMINED,
ABOUT TO SPRING THEIR TRAP.
(BEHIND THEM, OUT OF VIEW,
THE WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN TAKEN
IN THE ACT OF ADULTERY.)
THEY CALL OUT, PROJECT, SHARING LINES:
Jesus!.. Jesus of Nazareth!..
We have a question for you…
It is written in the book of Leviticus –
if a woman is caught in the act of adultery –
She is to be stoned… stoned unto death.
Thus speaks the prophet, Moses –
The law giver…
Now… As it so happens –
Such a one has been brought to our notice –
Within the hour – even as dawn was breaking –
A woman caught in the very act –
THEY BREAK RANK, REVEALING THE WOMAN KNEELING,
HEAD HANGING, BEHIND THEM.
TWO OF THEM MANHANDLE HER TO HER FEET,
THEN PROPEL HER FORWARD…
HER GARMENT TORN, HER FACE BRUISED…
SHE TAKES A FEW STEPS, DOWNSTAGE,
THEN PITCHES FORWARD.
THEY JOIN RANKS AGAIN… SMILING IN TRIUMPH… NUDGING…
Now then… The issue at stake is clear –
Moses would have us stone this, this vile creature –
To death! To the very death!
So says Moses!
What say you, Jesus of Nazareth?
PAUSE
Well?.. Will you side with the woman, go against Moses?
‘Spurn the word of one who was a real prophet –
and leader of his people?
PAUSE… MURMURING…
Has the carpenter from Galilee lost his tongue?
Are you to sit there forever tracing on the floor
with a finger?.. Speak!
THEY NOD, MURMUR APPROVAL…
Wait! He stands…
Will he speak?
PAUSE
Wh-what?.. What are you – ?…
With, without sin…
Among us… Cast the first…
THEY SHUFFLE… LOOK AT EACH OTHER…
THEN ONE TURNS AWAY… EXITS…
THEN ANOTHER… AND SO ON… SLOWLY.
THE WOMAN LOOKS UP, LOOKS AROUND, FEARFUL…
THEN SHE TURNS BACK,
LOOKS INTO THE AUDITORIUM:
No… No man, Master…
PAUSE
Oh-hh… Oh-oh-ohh…
SHE GETS SLOWLY TO HER FEET… TURNS UPSTAGE…
TAKES A FEW STEPS… TURNS…
LOOKS AGAIN INTO THE AUDITORIUM:
Th-thank you… Oh, thank you…
SHE GOES FURTHER UPSTAGE… TURNS… LOOK BACK…
No… No more…
SHE TURNS AND SLOWLY EXITS.
DARKEN SET
© 2025 by Sean Walsh
This short narrative in the gospel of John is full of drama. Sean has managed to capture the dramatic potential of this highly charged encounter between Jesus, this woman and the scribes and Pharisees. Well acted it would proclaim the message of this gospel text more powerfully than a verbal proclamation. The presence of the ‘absent’ Jesus among the congregation/audience is a striking dramatic device. It draws everyone into the scene and challenges us to declare where we stand in relation to what is happening – with Jesus, with the woman or with her accusers.
Sean’s paired down language sharpens the impact of this memorable gospel scene. It is the gospel reading for the Fifth Sunday of Lent. A parish might consider proclaiming the gospel reading that Sunday using Sean’s dramatic text. I suspect the congregation would hear that gospel reading in a way they have never heard it before.
I thank you for your words, Father. To think that it was just a vague idea some ten days ago!
But I was drawn to it and it began to grow as I tried one thing, then another… A short piece, yes to read but will surely be more than a tad longer when “stood up” the accusers making their lines rhetorical i e waiting for an answer… And the audience? Electric!… Better than any birthday card, your review. I was 93 on the last Sunday in January… Prosit.
I have been asked about costumes for my wee drama, The Trap. Long robes, headgear etc as in stuff from Hollywood? I much favour business suits, shirt and tie etc. Brings the viewers closer to the narrative. A big Now father than a distant Then…