Finding Faith ... in a Lenten skit

EDITOR'S NOTE: This skit was written for a Lenten service that we held jointly on Facebook Live with a neighboring parish on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Our parishes held joint "Digital Lenten Services" the last three Wednesdays of Lent after our governor issued a stay-at-home order and in-person services were no longer possible. The previous week, we have performed a skit called "The Gravestone," which focused on all the information a gravestone could tell us about the life of the deceased person buried in that grave.

The Gravestone … The Sequel

NARRATOR: We last left our Father and Daughter as they wrapped up a discussion about all that a gravestone could tell us about the life of the deceased person buried in that grave. The Daughter was working on her paper about her school field trip to a local cemetery, and her dad went to make dinner. … We pick up this week where we left off …

DAUGHTER: [Sitting on stage, obviously frustrated with her computer.]

DAD: [Entering from out of the room.] Hey, how’s the paper coming along. I just got done cleaning up the kitchen. I’m available if you need any help.

DAUGHTER: Ahhh!!! … This computer is so frustrating! … I have to email the paper to the teacher now that we’re stuck at home because of this stupid Coronavirus. And I can’t get logged onto the internet. … Our internet connection stinks, Dad!

DAD: Hey, whoa! … You OK there? … That’s a lot of frustration. … Just take a breath. We’ll get it figured out.

DAUGHTER: Oh, Dad! … You and your patience thing! … You are so frustrating too! … Next you’re going to quote your frustrating Bible scripture to me too!

DAD: [With a laugh.] Oh, you mean … Proverbs 14:29: “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly”?

DAUGHTER: Yeah, that one!

DAD: Or did you mean Psalm 27:14: Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

DAUGHTER: Or that one either!

DAD: [Laughing a little harder.] Well, you know there’s a lot of wisdom in the Bible. … Especially in Proverbs. There’s a lot of insight as to how we can live through this anxious time where we’re all asked to stay at home and we’re so filled with questions. … [Sitting down next to Daughter.] … So, let’s try to look at this together.

[Dad and Daughter trying to work on the computer together, quietly conferring.]

[In walks Son from off stage.]

SON: Hey, look at this meeting of the minds! … What’s up?

DAUGHTER: Shut up! … I’m not in the mood for your jokes right now!

SON: Oh, hey! … Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. … The crabby side! [Son laughs.]

DAD: Hey, hey, now … both of you go easy on each other!. … [To Son.] We’re trying to file her paper for school, and the internet seems to be acting up. … Instead of instigating something, how about a little help here. You understand this a lot better than I do!

SON: [Sitting down next to Dad and Daughter. … Sounding annoyed.] … Oh fine! … Yeah, I’ll take a look. … But, she doesn’t have to be so thin-skinned!

DAD: [To Son.] Shh, quiet. Please just help. .... [To Daughter.] Hey, he’s right. You seem a lot more upset about this than the issue warrants. … What’s really wrong? … You’ve seemed a little off all night.

DAUGHTER: [Obviously upset.] Oh Dad … I’m sorry. [To Brother.] I’m sorry I snapped at you too.

SON: [Grudgingly.] Me too. … I didn’t know you were so upset. Sorry.

DAUGHTER: Oh, it’s OK. ... It’s just that I got a text from the softball coach today, and it seems that we likely aren’t going to have a season at ALL!!! … She told us players to stay in shape on our own, but that it was real likely that we wouldn’t ever take the field this year.

DAD: [To Daughter.] Oh, hey, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know.

DAUGHTER: Yeah, and to top it off, the principal sent out an email that prom is going to be postponed until this summer too! … This is the worst senior year ever!

SON: Yeah, I really know how you feel! … I just found out that the baseball season is likely going to be canceled too. … You aren’t the only one who is suffering!

DAUGHTER: Yeah, but you’ll be back next year. You’ll get to do your senior year. … Coronavirus has stolen my senior year!

DAD: OK, let’s just bring it down a notch. … [To Son.] You just keep working on that computer. That’s how you can be most helpful right now. [To Daughter.] Ok, look, I’m sorry that softball is being cancelled, and that prom isn’t going to be quite like you imagined. But, you know, your brother is right …

SON: Yeah, so there!

DAD: [To Son.] … For Once!

DAUGHTER: HA! … Yeah, for once!

[Daughter and Son make faces at each other.]

DAD: Ok, Ok … enough. Look, this coronavirus is affecting all of us in different ways. [To Daughter.] You’re losing softball, and prom is going to be different. … [To Son.] You’re losing baseball.

[Mom enters the room.]

DAD: And look, your mom and I are now working from home, and trying to referee you two all day long.

MOM: What’s that?

DAD: [Gesturing to the kids.] Oh, we’re just having a discussion about this pandemic, and how it’s affecting everyone. … I was just sharing with the kids that I know it’s sad that they are losing their sports, and prom, and they can’t get together with their friends. … [Talking to the kids.] But you know guys, there are other people who are suffering a lot more than we are.

MOM: Yeah, no kidding. … We actually have the luxury of working from home.

SON: When the internet works!

DAD: Funny … very funny. ... But look, your Mom is right. There are millions of people who still have to go into work.

MOM: Think of the heroes who are still going to work, to stock grocery stores, work at gas stations or hotels. To deliver mail, or even to make life-saving medical devices. … Look kids, we might be experiencing some inconveniences here, but there are people who are impacted by this pandemic in real extreme ways.

DAUGHTER: [Somberly.] Yeah, I guess you’re right. … I mean, there are statewide quartines in some places, and there are thousands of people getting sick.

SON: Yeah, and there are doctors, nurses and technicians who are working in hospitals, and they don’t even have the protective gear they need to work.

MOM: And do not forget there are people dying.

DAD: It’s all tragic. Very sad. … Millions of people are sacrificing a lot more than we are. … And think about Grandma. She’s been locked into her living facility for three weeks now. No visitors in or out. I just talked with her this afternoon and she’s had to resort to learning Facebook to keep in touch. … Just think about her. No visitors. No going to church. No getting together to play cards in the community room. … Seriously, there are a lot of folks who are isolated without other people around. … We really are pretty lucky given everything happening around us.

[Daughter and Son, murmuring in agreement.]

MOM: Look, your dad is right. We are lucky, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to feel bad or get on each other’s nerves. … But luckily for us, there is something we can do about it!

DAUGHTER & SON: There is????

MOM: Yeah, haven’t you heard Mr. Rogers’ famous saying. … That in times of great peril, look to the helpers for inspiration! … Well, we might be at home, but there’s still ways we can help. What do you say we give it a try?

DAD: Well, as soon as he fixes the computer there, and gets her paper uploaded, I’m going to Facetime Grandma again, and then I’m going to reach out to the secretary at the church. I’m going to get a list of phone numbers of other church members, and just check in on them.

MOM: Great idea! … I’m going to go back to writing some more cards. I’m telling each of the Faith Fitness women that I miss hanging out with them. … Later on tonight, I’m going to pull out my sewing machine. The Women’s Group has agreed to help sew masks for the people who are serving on the front lines of this pandemic, medical staff, emergency personnel and others.

DAUGHTER: You know what? … I’m going to go bake some cookies. We could place some packages on the steps for the mail carrier and delivery people. … I bet they'd love a pick-me-up. They must be working hard right now!

DAD: That is a wonderful idea. .... It’ll let them know how appreciated they are. They’re in a tough spot right now.

SON: Hey, I know what I can do. ... I’ll call the Olsons across the street. Their children haven’t been able to stop by recently because they don’t want to put them in danger, and their dog walker can’t make it either. … I bet their dog could use a walk after being cooped up all this time.

MOM: That’s the spirit!

DAD: Thanks team. … You know the less time we focus on what we are missing, and the more time we focus on helping others, the better off we’re all going to feel. … That’s how we’re all going to get through this anxious time … together.

SON: Hey Mom, Dad …

MOM & DAD: Yes?

SON: I know another way we can help out!

MOM & DAD: Ok, what is it?

SON: [Smiling.] Tomorrow night, we can order pizza from the diner! … I hear they need the financial help!

MOM: [Smiling.] Always thinking with his stomach!

DAD: [Also smiling.] Indeed, he is. … But that’s not a bad idea, Son. There’s a lot of small businesses that could use our support during this time. … Pizza tomorrow night it is!

MOM: Now get back to fixing that computer!

[Daughter and Son go back to fussing with the computer.]

DAD: Oh, and team …

DAUGHTER, SON & MOM: We know! … We’re in this together!

DAD: Alright, alright. … Let’s get to work!