Easter 2021

Post date: Apr 06, 2021 1:46:34 PM

Easter 2021 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray & Linda Wingerath

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

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 other grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded or rolled and was placed at the head of that tomb.

To understand the significance of the folded napkin, we need 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.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out

of sight, until the master had finished eating.

The servant would not dare touch the table until the master was finished.

Now if the master was finished eating, he would rise from the table, wipe

his fingers and mouth, clean his beard, and wad up the 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, 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!”

I talk about Christ’s Resurrection as if it comes very easy

for me to believe in it. It’s not an easy thing to believe in.

I have seen a lot of people die. I have never seen anyone rise.

I have no difficulty believing that Christ was crucified. The details are very

convincing—they nailed him to the cross, pierced his side with a lance,

blood and water flowed out, he said, ‘it’s finished’ and gave up his spirit.

But resurrection? —maybe his followers imagined the whole thing?

The four Gospels do not suggest they got carried away. They really did not

expect him to rise. Nobody was more astonished than they were. They

were frightened out of their minds by the Crucifixion and went into hiding.

Maybe the whole lot of them got together and made it all up.

But why would they do that? Why would they spend their lives preaching

something they did not believe and perhaps die for it at the end?

The point I want to make this morning is that it is not easy to believe in

the Resurrection, but we have good reason for doing so.

As for myself I got the faith originally from my parents and the people

with whom I grew up. I trusted them but I have additional reasons now

for holding on to it. Faith and reason go hand in hand.

I believe in the Resurrection now because all the evidence convinces me.

St. Paul, a former unbeliever, became the greatest preacher

of Christ’s Resurrection. He says clearly, “If we have died with Christ,

we believe that we shall also live with him.”

Jesus’ resurrection is the basis of our hope for heaven.

It is the reason I know Christ is in the Eucharist.

It is the reason we worship at Mass on Sundays.

It is the reason we try to live good lives.

If I say, The Lord is Risen, I hope you respond, He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia