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A Used Napkin

Several years ago, when we lived in Ecuador, one of our favourite things to do was to cross the Andes mountains to spend some time on the Pacific coast. We’d watch the fishermen buck their heavy dugout canoes through the surf to the gentle swells of the ocean beyond. Then, we’d wait. When they returned we’d go down to the shore to see what they had. We’d also watch to see what the local restaurant owners were buying. That way we knew where to go to eat that day.

We’d sit in one of the ocean front eateries enjoying the sea breeze under the coconut palms while feasting on shrimp cocktail and langostinos fried in garlic butter served with rice and lentils. This meal became a favourite and we had it at every opportunity because we knew that we’d soon have to head back over the mountains where such delights could only be enjoyed as memories.

One year, some of our friends had to return to North America before our annual pilgrimage to the coast. Someone came up with the bright idea of folding up some used napkins after one of our meals on the beach and sending them along to our friends up north. The idea was to tantalize them with the smell of their favourite garlic-butter fried food. I’m not sure if anyone ever really did this, though there was much merriment around the table as we fantasized about their reaction to opening such odd but eloquent correspondence.

In my mind, this situation is connected to something I read in the Bible. After Jesus’ resurrection, He stunned His disciples with an unexpected visit. Quite frankly, they were unsettled. The last any of them had seen Him, He was dying on a Roman cross. One never expected visits from crucifixion victims. But here He was. Jesus just “appeared” to them – flesh and bone – inviting them to touch Him to convince them that he was physically present and not some spiritual apparition or figment of their imagination.

Finally, He said, “Have you any food here?” and they produced a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. Jesus took it and ate it in front of them. After He had done this, we read that He opened their understanding so that they could grasp the Old Testament references to his death and resurrection. (See Luke 24:36 and onward.) Eating together with his friends was both proof of His physical resurrection and an act of fellowship.

Now here's a very personal, whimsical kind of thought. I wonder if Jesus wiped his fingers and mouth after that greasy, sticky snack. Do you suppose that one of the disciples might have been tempted to hang onto whatever He used? What a witness that would have been to His resurrection. Doubt that Jesus came out of the grave? Here, look at this cloth he used to wipe his fingers after He ate.

Ron Hughes
© April 2009