The Ichthys

C.S. Lewis said,  “to make sure that, if you have once accepted Christianity, then some of its main doctrines shall be deliberately held before your mind for some time every day. That is why daily prayers and religious reading and church-going are necessary parts of the Christian life. We have to be continually reminded of what we believe. Neither this belief nor any other will automatically remain alive in the mind. It must be fed.” One way we can remind ourselves of what we believe is to surround ourselves with Christian symbols and meditate on what they mean. One of the oldest symbols of our faith is the Ichthys, the stylized fish symbol often seen mounted on the bumpers of cars.

Ichthys is the Greek word for fish. The early Christians made from it an acrostic, replacing each letter with a word: Iesous Christos Theos, Yios Soter, which means Jesus Christ, Son Of God, Savior.

So on Sunday, can we feed our faith with this symbolic fish? Almost two thousand years ago, Clement of Alexandria thought so. So did the 2nd Century theologian Tertullian, who said “we, little fishes, after the image of our Ichthys, Jesus Christ, are born in the water.” So let this dead fish remind us of our baptism and new birth into eternal life.

And on Monday, when our lives seem fruitless, can this fish give meaning to our work? Yes, because it reminds us of the time some humble fishermen miraculously caught all those fish at Jesus’ direction, when he called them to be his disciples. That insignificant fish reminds us of the supremely important charge he gave us: “Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of men”.

On Tuesday, when we have strayed from our first love, stumbled in sin, and begun to doubt what we once were certain was true, can this lost fish help us find our way again? Yes, because it reminds of the time the disciples, who denied and deserted Jesus, were back in their boats yet failing to catch any fish, and Jesus again said “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some”. That tiny fish reminds us of how great is the forgiveness of God.

On Wednesday, when life is crowding us in, and we are famished because in our busyness, we have neglected our spiritual food, denying that there is enough to go around, can this tiny fish satisfy our hunger? Yes, if we remember how Jesus fed a crowd of thousands with a few loaves and fish. That solitary fish reminds us of God’s immeasurable grace.

On Thursday, when we feel alone, without a friend to help us, can a curly-q metal fish comfort us? Yes, if we remember that in the middle of “Iesous Christos Theos, Yios Soter” are the words “Son of God”. Jesus is the incarnation of God, Immanuel, God with us. This lonely fish reminds us that we are not alone.

On Friday, when the work week has left us feeling dead, like we were the ones who were crucified, can that fish charm on the noose-like necklace around our neck revive us? Yes, if we remember that “Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” But after that, he rose from the dead. That fish charm reminds us that Jesus is not just the Resurrection and the Life, but Our resurrection and Our life.

And on Saturday, when we are surrounded by danger, hiding in our modern-day catacombs from those who would hurt us, can a fish without hands, feet, or weapons rescue us? Yes, if we remember the last word of the acrostic: Soter - Savior. That defenseless fish reminds us of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has given us this great salvation.

Lest we forget the fullness of the God we worship, the early Christians also combined three Ichthys fish into one symbol, the Triquetra. And this symbol reminds us that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to remind us of all things. May we all remember the humble fish and all it means to us who believe. Amen.