Today, we celebrate the beautiful feast of the Visitation, a moment rich in theological significance and divine mystery. It is a day that invites us to reflect deeply on Mary’s role as the Ark of the Covenant, and what her visit to Elizabeth reveals about the identity of Christ, the fulfillment of God's promises, and the central themes of salvation history.
In Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:39-56), we see Mary, having heard from the Archangel Gabriel of her divine vocation, setting out "in haste" to visit Elizabeth. The fact that our Blessed Mother rushes to Elizabeth is an indication of how joyous a grace and blessing it was that the Son of God would be born through her, and she wanted to share this with Elizabeth to confirm her as well in her vocation as the mother of the precursor, John the Baptist whom Jesus declares the greatest of all men that would be born. When Elizabeth greets her, the infant John leaps for joy in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims Mary “most blessed among women” and calls her “the Mother of my Lord.” Mary responds with her Magnificat, a hymn of praise, gratitude, and recognition of God's mighty acts.
This encounter is profound: it is the moment where divine fulfillment becomes palpable. Mary’s faith, her trust in God's promise, is at the heart of her blessedness—a trust that is fulfilled in her visitation, which foreshadows her role as the bearer of the Messiah.
Now, let us consider the Old Testament and the significance of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the sacred vessel that contained the stone tablets of the Law, manna, and Aaron’s staff—elements that symbolized God’s covenant, presence, and divine provision. In Leviticus we read; "I will set my tabernacle among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be my people" (26:11-12). It was therefore the most sacred object among Israel, carried into battles, and placed in the Holy of Holies, signifying God's dwelling among His people. The early Church Fathers, such as Saint Irenaeus, emphasized that Mary, in her obedience and faith, became the vessel through which Christ entered the world—much like the Ark was the vessel of God's presence.
In Catholic theology then, Mary is seen as the new Ark of the Covenant. Just as the Ark carried the presence of God in the Old Testament, so does Mary carry Jesus
who is truly God and truly man. When Mary visits Elizabeth, she brings the Incarnate Word—God Himself—into the midst of His people. The "leaping" of John in Elizabeth's womb signifies the recognition of Christ’s divine presence, echoing the way the Ark signified God's presence among Israel and how King David leaped for joy on that glorious day when he saw the Ark approaching Jerusalem.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises, the ultimate Ark that contains the divine Law and manna—His own flesh and the bread of eternal life. Mary’s "yes" is the moment of divine fulfillment, making her the living vessel of God's salvation.
The Magnificat echoes Isaiah’s prophecies about God's mercy, His strength, and His work in lifting up the humble. Christ, as the fullness of God's mercy and strength, embodies these divine attributes. Mary’s role in bringing Christ into the world makes her the perfect reflection of Israel—the chosen vessel through whom God's promises are fulfilled.
As we honour Mary’s visitation, let us see her as the Ark of the New Covenant—who bears Christ within her and reveals to us that Jesus is the divine fulfillment of God's promises. It is no wonder that now in heaven, having been crowned as the Queen by the most Holy Trinity, the angels and saints marvel at her still. May our dearest Queen keep us in her heart as she always has, and obtain from Jesus his mercy and grace for all of us. Amen.
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