Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?

I never noticed this....

The 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 stopped 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.

Was 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 were 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 finished..

"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!"

Wishing a peaceful Easter to you

I am the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live,
And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
John 11:25-26

On Easter Sunday, Christians around the world celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The promise is an amazing source of energy for Christians, especially for bereaved parents.

If you have a relationship with parents who have lost a child, then you already know that it takes a very long time for them to realize that their child is not going to walk through the door and greet them with “hello,” or join them for celebrations, or wake up in their bedrooms and wish them “Happy Easter.” We have to find strength daily to fight to accept the reality of our new lives—a life that we never would have chosen. Most of us will spend our entire lives trying to do just that.

Before Laura’s sudden death, Fred and I frequented a church outside of our community. No particular reason, we just preferred attending mass there. In November 2008 shortly after Laura died, we went to talk to one of the priest, we were looking for comfort and reassurance that we could survive loosing Laura. At the time, I believe we were looking in the wrong place. We were not ready to hear what he had to say. I wanted someone to wake me and tell me that I was living a horrendous nightmare. I wanted him to tell me to go home and Laura would call me. But of course that is not what he said. His words at the time assaulted my entire being. I wanted to scream at him but I didn’t have the strength. I couldn’t tolerate listening to his Catholic wisdom. He blatantly told us, a mother and father who just lost their daughter, that we should not be grieving for her, after all she is with God now. I hated hearing those words and I was beyond furious and defeated. We wanted Laura home with us (and we still do)! How dare he tell us that we should accept her death? I left that church determined never to go back again.

Now it is March 2010. I have been back to the chapel a couple of times to attend masses that have been dedicated in Laura’s memory. Our lives have moved forward even though we couldn’t imagine that ever happening. The truth is simply we don’t have a choice. We have to find strength and continue to live not only for ourselves but to honor our child’s memory and to share today and tomorrow with all the family and friends that we are blessed to have.

Spring is a new beginning and Easter renews the spirit. When we are ready to reflect on the words “everyone who lives and believes in me will never die,” we will be able to experience some peace and joy despite our pain. These powerful words reminds us that God and our angels are always with us, no matter what our challenges and blessings are.

I have heard your prayer,
I have seen your tears; indeed, I will heal you.
2 Kings 20:5

Bedtime

In honor of my Irish friends...

It's OK to pretend

you're Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

We pretend we're GOOD at Christmas.

Don't we?!

(thanks Barbara)

Be open to receive

The woman whispered, "God speak to me,"

and a meadow lark sang.

But the woman did not hear.

So the woman yelled, "God speak to me."

And the thunder rolled across the sky.

But the woman did not hear.

And the woman shouted, "God, show me a miracle."

And a life was born.

But the woman did not hear.

So, the woman cried out in despair,

"Touch me God, and let me know you are here."

Where upon, God reached down and touched the woman.

But the woman brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

Don't miss out on a blessing

because it isn't packaged the way you expect.

Be open to receive and you will.

Friends by Diane Agamie

I found this in the community newspaper.

One of the great things in life is surprise. You never know when something or someone will surprise you. I made a friend about a decade ago with a girl named Lynn. We spent a lot of time together in the last ten years, mostly because we had such similar interests. She loved nature as do I. There is a great park in Toms River, Cattus Island Park. It runs a mile out to the bay. Lynn and I would make that walk at least two times a week, early in the morning to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife. I was a watcher of deer, fox, and snakes; Lynn was a fan of squirrels and chipmunks. She wouldn't hesitate to traverse deep in the woods if one of them caught her eye. If our walks took place on a hot summer day, we might go swimming in the bay when we reached it.

When you spend a lot of time with someone, you tend not to notice subtle changes in them. Lynn never commented that she thought I looked like I was getting older or slower in my walk, and I never noticed her aging either. She was always ready to go whenever I asked her. She wasn't much of a shopper, so we didn't spend too much time doing that together.

In the last six months I started to notice that she was slowing down. She started to lose interest in our walks and preferred to just visit inside and look out at the beautiful golf course. I could get her to take small walks with me, but nothing like we used to.

Over these last ten years, Lynn became one of the best friends I have ever had. She was always there if I needed someone to talk to, no matter what time of day or night. She would quietly listen to my concerns and offer her friendship and compassion. She would share a beautiful sunny day with me, but would also be there for me on a sad or dreary day.

Lynn took a turn for the worse in the last month. She had to be on some pretty strong medicine, but she was a trooper and took her meds faithfully. Sadly, the medicine wouldn't help her to get well, and I lost her just before my birthday. Although my heart is heavy, I know that she is in a better place, out of pain, and hopefully enjoying a beautiful sunny day.

There is an empty spot in our home now as we say goodbye to our dear friend and companion, Bailee Lynn Agamie, our beautiful chocolate Lab.

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Please pass the info on. Thanks.