Anchors Aweigh!

2001 will be better than 2000. I told someone that a few days ago, in my best pontifical manner. Since then I have been wondering why I said that.

As far as I can tell, it has something to do with hope. That, of course, is more than unfounded optimism or wishful thinking.
I recently read an explanation of why the traditional symbol for hope is an anchor. The idea is that an anchor was dropped when a ship had safely arrived at the harbour which was its goal. So the symbol marked graves to indicate a safe homecoming.

The New Testament urges us to “give honour to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride” [1Pe 3:15 BBE]. I need to examine more closely, then, the hope which broke out in what probably seemed like a thoughtless assurance.

A footnote in the Bishops’ Pastoral Message to the Native Peoples tells us that in his apostolic letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente, no. 46, Pope John Paul II identifies signs of hope, not as isolated events or phenomena but as part of a cosmic tension leading to new birth. He encourages the Church to prepare for the Jubilee of the Year 2000 by seeking these signs of hope. He gives examples there of such signs of hope. In the Church, he says, “they include a greater attention to the voice of the Spirit through the acceptance of charisms and the promotion of the laity, a deeper commitment to the cause of Christian unity and the increased interest in dialogue with other religions and with contemporary culture.” In society in general he lists “scientific, technological and especially medical progress in the service of human life, a greater awareness of our responsibility for the environment, efforts to restore peace and justice wherever they have been violated, a desire for reconciliation and solidarity among different peoples…”

The Island Catholic News has a special concern with “Signs of Hope.” I find it interesting that there is frequent coverage of the very topics which Pope John Paul calls “Signs of Hope”. These are also topics which tend to be controversial. “Cosmic tension leading to new birth” is how the Bishops characterized what the Apostle Paul writing to the Romans sees as cosmic labour pains (8,22-24).Jesus also tells us to take the same attitude (Jn 16, 20-22).

Examining my own hope, I find that it pretty well measures up–is see that the “tensions” which upset many people are really evidence of new birth.

Pope John Paul tells us that hope encourages us to keep our hearts fixed on the ultimate coming of the kingdom and also to “transform reality in order to make it correspond to God’s plan.” The “tension’ calls for greater effort (guided, as always, by the Spirit) not less. There will be new birth, but we have to keep pushing.

Why, then, do I think this year will be better than the last? Ultimately, because I know God’s grace is flooding creation and so many people are responding with their best. There is so much prayer, so much loving self-sacrifice, and yes, so much healing and reconciliation taking place that, to the eyes of faith, the risen Lord is plainly with us. He is the reason for our hope.

He is also our greatest role model when it comes to hope. He experienced “tension,” constantly, within himself and all around him. It’s almost a constant in the gospels, reaching it’s climax on Calvary. But it never causes him to give up, on his ministry, on his flawed disciples, his people or, most importantly, his Father. “Come on, let’s go,” must have been frequently on his lips and in his heart.

So, has he dropped anchor at last? I really don’t think so. As long as our own pilgrimage continues he stays in his characteristic place, out front, knowing that if he stops, we will too, and that would be to betray the hope that is in us.

© 2001, Phil Smith, Box 64, Ucluelet, B.C. Canada, VOR 3A0. Permission for non-profit use is hereby granted, provided no substantive changes are made and this information is included. I’d appreciate knowing how you may have used my musings! Any typos?