MARY  AND  THE  ARK

Constructed during the Israelites' wanderings in the desert and used until the destruction of the First Temple, the Ark was the most important symbol of the Jewish faith, and served as the only physical manifestation of God on earth. The legends associated with this object - and the harsh penalties ascribed for anyone who misuses it - confirm the Ark's centrality to the Jewish faith of that period; the fact that Jews and non-Jews alike continue to study and imitate it confirms its centrality even today.

The Jewish converts to Christianity looked upon the Ark as the symbol of Mary, the Mother of God. As the ‘acacia’ wood of the Ark was indestructible, being very strong wood, the same happened to the body of Mary in the tomb. Her body did not see corruption as it was indestructible.

The Ark was in the possession of Għobed-edom for three months (2Sam.6:11), and Mary’s stay at the house of Elizabeth was of three months. (Lk.1:56) When crossing the desert the Ark was overshadowed by a ‘cloud’ (the Shekinah), likewise the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary in Nazareth when she accepted to become the Mother of God.

Another parallel is found in the Apocryphal Books wherein we find that whilst the Apostles were carrying the body of Mary to the tomb in the Kedron Valley, the high priest tried to topple the holy body being carried, to the ground. At that moment, an angel of the Lord appeared and caused the High priest’s hand to wither. He was punished just as Għuzza had been struck dead when he tried to hold the Ark from falling.

There was a bowl in the Ark wherein they kept some manna, the heavenly bread. This also is a symbol of  Mary because she carried in her womb the ‘Bread of Heaven’ Jesus, for nine months. For this reason the Church acknowledges Mary as the ‘Ark of the New Covenant’.