The anchor has been a symbol of hope among Christians since the days of the early Church.
The anchor metaphor emphasizes the stability and safety of Christ as our hope. The writer in Hebrews 6:19-20 describes this hope as an anchor that is firm and secure.
A ship’s anchor allows the vessel to remain fixed and unmoving regardless of the conditions at sea. As we reflect on the Uganda Martyrs – 22 Roman Catholics and 23 Anglicans who have gone before us and who, like the Apostles of Jesus, suffered greatly for their faith in him anchored in hope.
These young men: Achilles Kiwanuka (17), Adolphus Ludigo-Mukasa (24), Ambrose Kibuuka (18), Anatoli Kiriggwajjo (20), Andrew Kaggwa (30), Athanasius Bazzekuketta (20), Bruno Sserunkuuma (30), Charles Lwanga (25), Denis Ssebuggwaawo (16), Gonzaga Gonza (24,) Gyavira Musoke (17), James Buuzaabalyaawo (25-30), Jean Marie Muzeeyi (30-35), Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe (25), Kizito John Baptist (14), Lukka Baanabakintu (30-35), Matthias Kalemba Mulumba (50), Mbaga Tuzinde (17), Mugagga Lubowa (16), Mukasa Kiriwawanvu (20-25), Noa Mawaggali (35), Pontian Ngondwe (25), and blessed David Okello (age 16) and Jildo Irwa (age 12-14).
As a group, they had barely 10 years of discipleship, but knew who Jesus was and who he is, and because they knew him, they could place all of their faith, hope and trust in his Word, embracing the supreme form of witnessing to Christ — martyrdom.
For us followers of Christ, death is not the end. Rather, it is the start of a glorious eternity with the One who created us, who died for us and who has made a way for all people to be a part of his kingdom.
We should not fear those who threaten to kill us, for they are unable to kill our souls.
I have read stories about believers who have been punished for proselytizing, and priests who have been killed for speaking up against some social or political evil.
These are some of the words of Uganda Martyrs to reflect upon:
“I will lay down my life for the king, but I will not abjure my faith.” -Charles Lwanga
“Goodbye friends, we are on our way.” -Kizito John Baptist
“When we have been killed, never cease to be a good Catholic and love the Christians that will come after us.”
-Noa Mawaggali
I do not seek to provide a “how to” guide on Christian martyrdom, but to remind us all that the hope which anchors our souls is the fulfillment of God’s promises to us, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
No matter if the storms we face involve death, loss, divorce, financial hardships, health crisis or any other calamity, we can turn to hope. In the deepest, darkest, storms, hope grounded in Christ is the anchor which always holds.
Father Alexander Ssentongo Muddu is the pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Yorktown.