Feast of the Assumption (Luke 1:39-56)

Often, on Marian Feast Days, we recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  When we do this, the leader of the litany will pronounce an honorary title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In response the faithful say, “Pray for us.” We have several Marian litanies.  Each one has a different emphasis. 

One emphasizes the purity of the Blessed Virgin.  It would seem appropriate for this feast.  We have titles we might expect.  Mary is called the “Mother of God” for example. 

We also have titles that seem peculiar to us. The litany describes Mary as incorrupt.  She is said to be “Mother undefiled.”  She is said to be, “Queen Assumed into heaven.” 

Perhaps the title that speaks of her specialness more than any other is that she is said to be the Ark of the Covenant.  The label seems out of place.  What does it mean?  

We know the Ark of the Covenant refers to a special gold box that Moses had made.  On top of the Box was a thrown for God to sit on. Insite the box were the ten commandments.  The box was carried ahead of the Israelites as they traveled through the desert towards the promised land.  Whenever the Israelites pitched camp, the Ark of the Covenant was house in a special tent where Moses would meet with God.  The Ark of the Covenant was a continual reminder that God is always present to his people. 

What did this have to do with the Blessed Virgin?  Why would she be referred to as the Ark of the Covenant?  Because her body once housed the word made flesh, Jesus. Just like David danced before the Ark of the Covenant when it was brought to Jerusalem,  John the Baptist danced in the womb of Elizabeth when he met Jesus for the first time.  We read about this meeting in the Gospel of Luke.   

Because Mary carried Jesus during her pregnancy, we say she was the Mother of Divine Grace, the Virgin Most Venerable, the Spiritual Vessel, the House of Gold, the Gate of Heaven and the Help of Christians.  All these titles are proclaimed in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

We turn to Mary today as we face our own personal difficulties.  We pray to her as we seek peace in our war-torn world.  We ask for her intercession because she is the Virgin Most Merciful. We trust in the one who bore, nursed, taught and followed Jesus.  May we follow her into eternity as the Israelites followed the Ark of the Covenant into the promised land.