Saint Frances Cabrini Parish

Father Kleppner - March 30, 2008

THE FOLDED NAPKIN
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His Resurrection? I never noticed this. . .
Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put Him!”
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side.
Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m done”.
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because. . .
The folded napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”
He is Coming Back!

OUR SAVIOR LIVES AND PROCLAIMS TO ALL OF US EASTER IS . . .
NEWNESS. It’s a new dress, a new suit, a new baptismal garment; it’s a new dawn, a new day, a new person. It’s a new creation!
A SPECTACLE OF LIGHT. It’s the sparks of the Easter fire and the dance of new flames. It’s the Easter Candle and the flames shared hand to hand.
A PARADE OF SOUNDS. It’s the laughter of children, the sounds of delight and surprise. It’s the ringing of bells and the sounds of uplifting music.
NEW LIFE AND DEATH. It’s the springtime after winter, sprouting seeds and new shoots. It is the colorful array of spring flowers, warm sunlight, and chirping birds. It is the stone rolled away and the tomb found empty. It is faith strengthened, and hope, springing eternal. It is the death of the old self, the reign of sin and Satan.
VICTORY AND TRIUMPH. It is the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, joy over sorrow, optimism over pessimism, gratitude over envy, hope over despair, love over hate, life over death, Christ over Satan.
YOU AND ME. It is sharing you with me and me with you. It is kind words and laughter, hugs and caring. It is friendship. It is being lifted when we are down. It is allowing us to being open and growing. It is coming to a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is seeing Him in each other.
OPEN DOORS. It is feeling free from our hidden self. It is walking out of the tomb. It is allowing others in. It is walking through doors to new life. It is stepping out of the graves we may have dug for ourselves and living in the light. It is opening wide when someone is knocking. It is not barring the door or slamming it in someone’s face. It is opening the door of our hearts to receive others with acceptance and welcome.
EASTER IS TODAY! DON’T WAIT FOR TOMORROW TO EXPERIENCE IT!
Happy and Blessed Easter!

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