Pope Benedict XVI Speaks of Mary as the Ark of the Covenant

(August 15, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a Mass in the local parish of St Thomas of Villanova, very close to the Summer Papal Residence of Castel Gandolfo. In his homily the Pontiff spoke of Mary as the living Ark of the Covenant who is destined to her extra ordinary glory because of her close union with her son whom she received in faith and conceived in her flesh to fully share his glory in heaven. In the Old Testament, the Ark was the symbol of God's presence among his people. This symbol has given way to reality in the New Testament where the true Ark of the Covenant is a living and concrete person is the Virgin Mary, who carried in her womb the eternal Son of God made man, Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Reflecting on the Gospel the Pope said that this living Ark, Mary is on her move, who leaves her home to go to the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth. She does not go alone but with her son in her womb. Here the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of Elizabeth and helps her to recognize Mary as the true Ark of the Covenant, the Mother of God, who has come to visit her. The child John the Baptist recognises the presence of the Ark and leaps in joy. On this Solemnity of the Assumption, said Pope Benedict, Mary gives us hope of a future filled with joy and teaches us the way to reach Jesus, accepting him in faith and building our friendship with him. We will always be enlightened and guided by his word and follow him daily even at times when we feel that our crosses are too heavy. Mary, the Ark of the Covenant who is in heaven, will show us the path to walk towards our true home, to be in communion with God in joy and peace.