Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli
Throughout the world, the cross is the universal symbol of the Christian faith. But, for the first four centuries of Christianity, it was not. Christians were being persecuted and put to death for their faith. Crucifixion was only too real for them. Not until Constantine made Christianity legal did Christians begin to make use of the symbol of the cross as a sign and affirmation of their belief in Jesus who died and rose for our salvation.
Instead of the cross, those early Christians adopted the anchor to express their faith in Jesus. In many of the epitaphs in the catacombs of St. Domitilla and St. Callixtus, especially in the oldest parts of these underground cemeteries, the anchor is frequently found. In the catacombs of St. Priscilla alone, the anchor appears on about 70 pre-fourth century tombs.
Anchors have always had an important role in human history. Waterways were essential for travel and transportation in ancient times. When a ship made it to port, the anchor was dropped into the water and kept the ship safe in its place. When a storm arose at sea and the waters became turbulent, a drift anchor was thrown overboard to stabilize the boat and provide safety for its passengers.
So it was quite natural for the first Christians suffering persecution and facing martyrdom to place the anchor on the tombs of their beloved. The anchor became a symbol of hope. It proclaimed that, beyond suffering and even death, the believer reaches the safe haven of God’s embrace. No wonder then, that along with the anchor, they put such expressions as pax tecum and pax tibi, both meaning “peace be with you.”
Thus, in Christian iconography, the anchor became the symbol of hope. In fact, when speaking of Jesus who has entered heaven as our high priest, the author of Hebrews says “This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm” (Heb 6:19). We have hope, because Jesus himself intercedes for us for all the graces we need to safely navigate the storms threatening us as individuals or as the Church. Hope, along with faith and charity, is a theological virtue. It is a gift of God himself to help the believer remain calm amidst trial and unfailing in trust.
In times of discouragement, the authentic believer does not give up, but turns to God. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God says, “I know well the plans I have in mind for you…plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me…and I will change your lot” (Jer 29:11-14).
In an age of instant gratification, hope is not a familiar virtue. Same-day delivery of anything from food to furniture. Immediate access to information. Apps to have an Uber at the door within minutes. All these technological advances are making us less and less patient. But, the virtue of hope inspires patience. God does not unravel the tangled mess that we make of things as soon as we turn to him. He stays with us patiently helping us to set things right. He waited 30 years before he anointed his Son Jesus to begin his public ministry on earth.
No situation, no crisis, no tragedy is beyond the power of God who never gives up his plans for our welfare and not for our woe. The Cross of Jesus is the proof. As the 19th century English poet William Cowper wrote, “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.” And so when the storm is fierce and our faith is strong in God’s saving activity in Jesus, we are anchored in hope!