For the Feast of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major

Taken from Inter Mirifica


ARK OF THE COVENANT

(1) MARY, in the Old Testament the ark of Noe was a symbol of you. When God decided to destroy the human race because of its many sins, He ordered Noe to build an ark for himself and his family. After the deluge came, all mankind, except Noe and his family, perished.

You are in a more perfect sense an ark of safety than was Noe's ark, for through you we have received the Redeemer who saved not only a few persons, but all mankind from destruction. As by the ark of Noe men were rescued from death, so through you all mankind has been rescued from the shipwreck of sin. Under your protecting mantle the just and sinners find refuge.
I take you, a spiritual ark, as my model. The waters of sin have never destroyed your pure soul. Help me to avoid every mortal sin and even those venial sins which I frequently commit. As you receive all, the just and the unjust, and reveal yourself to them as a loving, merciful Mother, help me to be kind toward all, and do good whenever an opportunity presents itself.

(2) MARY, the ark of the covenant was also a symbol of you. At the command of God, Moses built the ark of gold and precious wood and put into it the two stone tablets containing the ten commandments, the blooming rod of Aaron, and a golden vessel with manna. This ark, the most sacred object of the Mosaic Law, was placed in the Holy of Holies. Afterwards it was brought to the temple of Solomon where it remained for over four hundred years till the destruction of the temple.

The ark was made of precious setim-wood, which owing to its durability never decays. It is a symbol of the truth that your soul remained untouched by the corruption of sin, and that your body also did not see corruption, but, united with your soul soon after your death, was assumed into heaven. The gold, with which the ark of the covenant was overlaid within and without, is a symbol of your virtues, especially your love of God and purity of intention, the foundation of all your actions. In the ark of the covenant, the two stone tablets of the Law were deposited; in you, the living ark of the covenant, the Law Giver and Savior Himself dwelt for nine months. The blooming rod of Aaron was a symbol of Christ, the eternal High Priest, who became Man in your womb. The vessel containing manna reminds me that you bore under your heart the spiritual Manna, Jesus Christ, who called Himself "the living bread that has come down from heaven" (John 6,51)

Help me to be like an ark of the covenant. May my life resemble setim-wood-pure and untouched by the corruption of sin. May my heart be of gold so that divine love may burn in it, and so that I may do all things for the love of God. Make me a living ark: to keep the commandments of God in my heart and have no other desire than that of fulfilling the holy will of God. Keep in my heart a most fervent desire for the heavenly Manna of Holy Communion, so that I may receive this Sacrament frequently and worthily.

(3) MARY, you are the ark of the covenant because you support us in the struggles against the enemies of our salvation. The ark of the covenant was the most sacred object among the Jews. From its golden covering God spoke to them and gave them His blessings. Because of it He worked many miracles to protect them. You not only protect us from evil, but also intercede with God to obtain for us grace and mercy.

Ark of the Covenant, I beg for your protection against the enemies of my soul—the world, the flesh, and the devil. Plead to God in my behalf if I should have the misfortune of offending Him. Ever be to me a Mother of Mercy and the source of all the graces I need to find Jesus and salvation.

PRAYER

O Lord, abide with Your people who are refreshed by receiving Your Body and Blood, that by the help of Your most holy Mother we may be freed from all evil and be protected in every good work. Who live and reign forever. Amen.