The Ark of the New Covenant

Gospel Reflection for April 8, 2024

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?’ And the angel said to her in reply, ‘The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.’ Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:26-38 NABRE)

When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she had been chosen by God to bear the Son of the Most High, he regarded Mary with honor. He knew that Mary played an important and elevated role in the history of salvation as the Mother of God, and so he greeted her with the words, “hail, favored one!” Many Christians do not believe in having recourse to Mary or praying to her, and even believe that doing so is sinful. However, the way in which the angel Gabriel regarded Mary with honor offers us an example of how we are to regard her.

Mary’s importance is further highlighted by Gabriel when he said that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and will overshadow her. This “overshadowing” calls to mind the Ark of the Covenant, upon which “were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of expiation.” (Hebrews 9:5) The Ark of the Covenant held the presence of God for the Israelites, and likewise, Mary would carry the presence of God in her womb. She would be overshadowed or protected by the power of the Most High, and this detail significantly indicates that Mary was to be the Ark of the New Covenant.

Though Mary probably experienced various overwhelming feelings while receiving this profound message from Gabriel, she did not hesitate to give God her yes.

May we follow Gabriel’s example by loving Mary and treating her with honor. Further, may we also follow Mary’s example by obeying God and being willing to serve Him no matter what He calls us to do. Mary’s role as the Ark of the New Covenant and the Mother of God were enormously important and probably difficult for her to grasp! Yet, she trusted in the Lord and accepted His will. May we, like Mary, and with her help, do likewise.