[34] The New Passion, Timothy Reilly

for Jo-Anne

In line at a Walmart, I overheard two women talking about their church’s recent Easter Pageant. From what they were saying, I gathered it was a Passion Play in kid-friendly tableaux. There was the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas identifying Jesus to the arresting soldiers. No scourging or crown of thorns or nailing to the cross. No blood shed for our sins. The women talked about the guy who portrayed Judas. They laughed and agreed it was perfect casting. They didn’t know the guy who played Jesus.

“Wasn’t the Resurrection awesome?” said one woman.

“I missed it,” said the other. “I was taking selfies with my kids.”