By Patrick Wemambu
“Today, we turn our attention to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the Ark of the New Covenant. Why? We remember her great and humble role at Christmas. Why are we shifting our attention to Mary? The celebration of every child is first and foremost the celebration of the mother…Mothers play a special role in conceiving and birthing children. If we claim to love the baby Jesus, we must also appreciate his mother.”
Rev. Fr. Leonard Okoli, Parish priest of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Umuochi-Utchi, Warri Diocese in Delta State made those remarks while delivering the homily to his parishioners Sunday.
Sermonizing on the topic Why Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant, the priest likened the subject to the relationship between a fruit and a tree. Nobody could cherish the former, he advanced, without acceptance of the latter that bore it. How is Mary the Ark of the New Covenant? The homilist inquired.
Quoting John 1:14 which states that Jesus assumed humanity and dwelt among mankind, the church administrator maintained that the flesh was taken from Mary. And not from heaven, any Angel or principality. Just as God provided a structure (the Ark) for the Law of the Old Covenant (Torah), the congregation realized that the Creator also made available a body (Ark) which is Mary for Jesus Christ (the New Covenant).
“Let us use two scriptural passages to show that Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant namely 2 Samuel 6: 9-15 and Luke 1:39-44. 2 Samuel 6: 9-15 tells the story of how the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Israel while Luke 1:39-44 tells the story of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. These two passages show 3 similarities. First, David was overwhelmed with the presence of the Ark that he exclaimed; ‘how can the ark of the Lord come to me?’ (2 Sam. 6:9),” Fr. Okoli throwing more light on the issue expressed.
He continued; “Elizabeth repeated it saying; ‘how should it be that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’ (Luke 1:43). Second, when the Ark came to the city of David, David leapt for joy (1 Sam 6:14). Elizabeth also confirmed; ‘when the sound of your greetings reached my ear, the child in my womb leapt for joy’ (Luke 1:41). Third, the Ark stayed in the house of Obededom for three months (1 Sam 6:11) just as Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months (Luke 1:56).”
On the lessons to be learnt from the figure of Mary as the Ark of the Covenant, the homilist declared that she is a powerful intercessor for us whenever we are in need of God’s blessings and protection. While we are implored to remember her intercession at the wedding feast at Cana (John 2:1-11), we are similarly enjoined to appreciate and honour her like Elizabeth did. Another way of honouring the mother of God is to be filled with joy whenever we encounter her like Elizabeth was – the Holy Trinitarians were told.
The preacher offered an important addendum; “Pray the Rosary as often as you can. It is not a worship of Mary, but a honour given to her. Just as the Ark of the Covenant contained the Word of God – the Ten Commandments inscribed on two tablets – Mary carried Jesus, the Word of God made flesh in her. If we want the Word of God to come to fulfillment in our lives, we should be close to Mary.”
