Day 16: Mary Hidden in Advent-David before the Ark

David dancing before the Ark. Italian, Rome about 1660-65 Terracotta. Location:Victoria and Albert Museum.

Day 14: David before the Ark
 
     Read The Jesse Tree, pp 54-56.  Hang the ornament (ark of covenant).
     David finally brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.  As it enters the city, he dances for joy before it.

     Scripture reference:  1 Samuel 18:6-16, 1 Samuel 20,  2 Samuel 6:1-15
  
     Comment:  Today, I can't think of a better explanation than this one written by St. Ambrose in the fourth century:  “The prophet David danced before the Ark.  Now what else should we say the Ark was but holy Mary?  The Ark bore within it the tables of the Testament, but Mary bore the Heir of the same Testament itself.  The former contained in it the Law, the latter the Gospel.  The one had the voice of God, the other His Word.  The Ark, indeed, was radiant within and without with the glitter of gold, but holy Mary shone within and without with the splendor of virginity.  The one was adorned with earthly gold, the other with heavenly” (Serm. xlii. 6, Int. Opp., S. Ambrosii) (Blessed Virgin, p. 77).

     Related Title:  Mary, Ark of the Covenant

 "O noble Virgin, truly you are greater than any other greatness. For who is your equal in greatness, O dwelling place of God the Word? To whom among all creatures shall I compare you, O Virgin? You are greater than them all O [Ark of the] Covenant, clothed with purity instead of gold! You are the ark in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the flesh in which divinity resides" St. Athanasius, (Homily of the Papyrus of Turin).

Excerpt from Marian Prayer by John Paul II

O Ark of the Covenant.

 O Mother of the Church,

in the midst of the disciples in the upper room

you prayed to the Spirit

for the new people and their shepherds;

obtain for the Order of Presbyters

a full measure of gifts,

O Queen of the Apostles.

Given in Rome, at St. Peter’s on March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, in the year 1992, the fourteenth of my Pontificate.

 

Many more wonderful quotes from the Church Fathers on Mary, Ark of the Covenant, as well as an in-depth article from Catholic Culture .