Zephaniah 3:14-18, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 1:39-56
Today, the Church invites us to recall the visitation of our Blessed Mother (pregnant with Christ) to her cousin Elizabeth (pregnant with John the Baptist). This visitation cannot be overlooked because it reveals to us why Catholics have always believed that Mary is the NEW Ark of the Covenant. Consider these typologies from the Old to the New:
God the Holy Spirit overshadowed and then in-dwelled the Ark (Ex 40:34) ???? The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and the Power of the Most High overshadowed her. (Lk 1:34)
David said: “How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?” (2 Sam 6:10) ???? Elizabeth said: “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43)
David danced with all his might when the Ark arrived (2 Sam 6:13,14) ???? John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary arrived (Lk 1:41).
Ark remained in the house of O’bede’dom for three months (2 Sam 6:11) ???? Mary remained three months with Elizabeth (Lk 1:56).
Unless this is all purely coincidence, one can only conclude that the Catholics are correct. Mary was designated by God to be the New Ark of the Covenant carrying the Word into the world.
We must ponder deeply in our hearts what this means. In the Old Testament, the Ark was so perfectly pure that Uzzah was struck dead just for touching it. Think about it, that was the Old Testament. All Christians today believe that the New Testament brings the Old Testament to fulfilment. Which means Mary by logic, is much GREATER than the Old Ark.
Luke further substantiates this in the Magnificat:
“My soul MAGNIFIES the Lord, ALL generations will call me BLESSED!” (Lk 1:46,48).
Friends, let us all remember that our Blessed Mother’s role is and always will be to MAGNIFY the Lord (think of a magnifying glass).
Mary does not bring salvation, but she will ALWAYS bring us closer to her Son, that we can be assured of. I can personally testify to that. Since I’ve started devotion to Mary a few months ago, I have noticed changes in my life that are incredible and irrefutably due to Mary’s intercession. And the best part? I love Jesus so much more than I ever did before!
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Originally posted on Instagram.
