Mary, Ark Of The Covenant

So we celebrate her following the path of Jesus and the plan of God, all the way through His resurrection and her own. The Assumption is my favorite Marian festival, because what Mary experienced after death is also what we look forward to. We’ll say it in just a moment: we look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. If–and I say that very emphatically–if we follow Jesus and Mary in their obedience to God, and repent sincerely when we miss that mark.

At Nazareth there are many murals and frescoes donated by all the nations of the world, celebrating the Blessed Virgin and the Incarnation. The artwork from the U.S. was very controversial when it was unveiled. It is this scene from Revelations–Mary in a surreal setting, surrounded by the sun, lightning and amazing portents. It’s even a little scary at first vision. But Mary–as she acted at Lepanto when a handful of men held back a Muslim horde–is still our leader and a powerful channel of grace. With this Ark leading us, with us full of faith and confidence in ultimate victory, in Jesus Christ we shall conquer death and every other foe. Blessed be God forever.