Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother. We celebrate the reality that Mary upon death did not suffer corruption, but rather God in his gratitude and generosity for Mary's yes opened up the heavens and assumed her body and soul, where she now sits and intercedes for us all.
In the book of Revelation we read, "God's Temple in heaven was opened up, and the Ark of his Covenant could be seen in the temple."
Question: What is the ark of the covenant?
The ark of the covenant was a portable box that the Israelites carried around with them during their wanderings in the desert and in their entry into the promised land. It was at the center of their worship.
The ark contained within its walls the tablets upon were written the ten commandments, a jar of manna, the bread that was sent from God to nourish the Israelites it he desert, and the rod of Aaron, which was a sign of his selection to be the priest who attended to the liturgy and altar of sacrifices for making peace between God and his people all along the journey.
It was a sign of God's ever abiding personal presence. It was a sign that God chose to meet the people of Israel, give them the law of life, and offer them continually his saving mercy. The ark was the place upon which God communicated his goodness and favor.
Mary, our blessed mother, is also considered to be the ark of the covenant. She, like the ark of the old testament was portable. She carried with her the ultimate sign of God's personal and ever abiding presence, Jesus Christ, God's son and her son.
Jesus, is the law giver. He brings forth the new law of life, for he is the way the truth and the life. He is the bread of life, for as he tells us, take this all of you and eat it, and whoever eats my body and drinks my blood will have eternal life. He is himself the bread from heaven sent to nourish us on our journey. He is the high priest and the sacrifice. He give his life on the altar of the cross so that we might receive the mercy and compassion of God. His death on the cross and resurrection enables hope to be born in us.
Mary, herself is the ark that contains, life everlasting. This is why John the BAptist leaps in his mothers womb, for the ark of God's mercy and grace, was in his presence.
This is why we honor the blessed mother. Just as God is grateful for her yes and welcomes her into heaven, the final ark of the covenant, so to we must allow her to accompany us on the journey so that we might also leap with joy as she brings us close to Christ, the giver of new life.
Mary, who are in heaven, pray for us...
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