The Ark of the Covenant bore the presence of God and three other important things, while Mary’s womb bears Jesus Christ, our Priest, Prophet and King. (Hebrews 9:4)
The Ark bore the Ten Commandments, the word of God in stone, while Mary’s womb carries Jesus Christ, the Word of God in flesh. (Deuteronomy 31:26, John 1:14)
The Ark bore the staff of Aaron which had miraculously blossomed, while Mary’s womb carries Jesus Christ, a bud blossoming miraculously from the stump of Jesse. (Numbers 17:10, Isaiah 11:1)
The Ark bore a gold container of Manna from heaven, while Mary’s womb carries Jesus Christ, the Bread from heaven. (Hebrews 9:4, John 6:41)
The Ark was made of wood overlaid with pure gold, inside and out, while Mary is a human being who is made “full of grace.” (Exodus 25:10-11, Luke 1:28)
King David joyfully leaped and danced before the Ark, while St. John the Baptist leaps within his mother’s womb at Mary’s arrival. (2 Samuel 6:14, Luke 1:44)
David asks, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me,” while St. Elizabeth asks, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (2 Samuel 6:9, Luke 1:43)
The Ark remained in the house of Obed-edom outside Jerusalem for three months and God blessed his whole house, while Mary remains in the house of Zechariah in Judea for three months. (2 Sam 6:14, Luke 1:56)
No man was to touch God’s holy Ark, lest they die. St. Joseph holds a similar reverent regard towards Mary, his wife. (Numbers 4:15, 2 Samuel 6:7, Matthew 1:25)
The Ark was a mercy-seat which served as the throne for God’s presence on earth. “On entering the house [the Magi] saw the child with Mary his mother.” (Exodus 25:22, Matthew 2:11)
In his vision of heaven, St. John saw the Ark revealed. The next thing he sees is a glorious woman pregnant with the Christ child. (Revelation 11:19, 12:1)
Just as the Ark of the Covenant was of central, though secondary, importance in the Old Covenant, so God gives the Blessed Virgin Mary an essential role in his New Covenant.
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