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The Burial Cloth of Jesus - Shroud of Turin
By TOM DENNEHY
The burial cloth of Jesus has attracted a lot of attention since it was discovered in 1390 AD. It consists of a 14 foot linen cloth bearing an image of the crucified Jesus. It was the burial shroud that wrapped the crucified Jesus when He was placed in the tomb.
The imprint of His crucified body on the shroud was caused by the intense burst of UV radiation and energy released at His resurrection among other notable facts that has made its authenticity stand.
The burial cloth is mentioned in all of the four gospel accounts – the wrapping of the body by Joseph of Arimathea and the disciples finding the cloths after The Resurrection.
The shroud was damaged in a fire in 1532 in the chapel in Chambery in France. Fourteen large triangular patches and eight smaller ones were sewn in to the cloth by the Poor Clare nuns to repair the damage.
In 1988, radiocarbon dating tests were carried out which claimed the samples dated to The Middle Ages. Further interest was aroused in 1998 when it was found that the radiocarbon dating results of 1988 were suspect as the scientists did not adhere to prescribed protocol. For some reason samples were taken only from the damaged and repaired parts of the shroud.
Evidence that has convinced many of the Shroud’s authenticity
The image on the shroud could only have been caused by some intense burst of UV directional radiation not understood until modern times – that at the moment of the Resurrection of Jesus, there was an incredible explosion of light lasting for only a fraction of a second that left the imprint of His crucified body on the cloth.
Embedded in the shroud is the imprint of two coins used to keep the eyes closed before being wrapped in the shroud. These coins, minted in 29 AD, bear the name Tiberius Caesar.
The Sudarium of Oviedo, long venerated as the cloth that covered the head of Jesus, has a known history going back to 577AD. When this cloth is placed over the head area of the Shroud of Turin, it matches to an amazing degree 123 blood stains found in the head area of the shroud. There is a similar blood flow pattern consistent with a crucified man. Without doubt, the shroud and the Sudarium touched the same face of a crucified man.
Both the sudarium and the shroud display blood marks that have remained (unusually) crimson in colour- indicating the presence of high levels of bilirubin. When a man is tortured and deprived of liquid, he can go in to shock and the liver starts pumping out bilirubin. It makes the blood stay crimson red forever. The blood group found on both cloths is AB+. Amazingly, Eucharistic miracles that have been investigated by the Church throughout the centuries those times when the Eucharistic species have turned into visibly human flesh and blood – were found to be the same blood type.
Different tests show that most of the pollen fossils on the shroud are specific to the area of Judea in the First Century AD. They also indicate that the shroud spent time in Odessa, in Constantinople and in France.
Bruno Barberis, Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Turin and Vice President of the Brotherhood of The Holy Shroud, provides us with reasons why he believes the man in the shroud is Jesus of Nazareth.
Wrapped in a sheet – both the image on the shroud and the body of Jesus were wrapped in a sheet after death which was very rare.
Crown of thorns - both wore crown of thorns on their heads. This fact is truly exceptional. No historical document describes this custom.
Transporting the cross. Like Jesus the man in the shroud carried a heavy object on his shoulders, which can only be the cross on which he was nailed.
The use of nails. Both Jesus and the man in the shroud were nailed to a cross.
Unbroken legs. Both were injured in the side after death, with unbroken legs. This is unique, as breaking the legs of of the crucified to hasten death was very common.
The shroud is housed at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin. It has rarely been displayed publicly in order to preserve it.
As we journey through Lent, let us profess our belief in The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He has conquered death. So let us go forth with great joy and sing on Easter morning. Alleluia, Alleluia, He is Risen, Alleluia.
