Let us explore the contents of the Ark of the Covenant and their similarities to Mother Mary.

God specifically instructed Moses to build the Ark with Acacia wood and it had to be overlaid with gold inside and outside. “You shall make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. Plate it inside and outside with pure gold, and put a molding of gold around the top of it.” (Exodus 25:10-11).

Acacia wood is resistant to decay and gold signifies purity and holiness. The Ark of the Covenant was made of incorruptible and holy materials as it was the dwelling place of God on Earth. Similarly the womb which conceived the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit should definitely be flawless and without sin.

Inside the Ark of the Covenant were placed the stone tablets, a golden jar consisting Manna and Aaron’s rod which budded. “Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies, in which were the gold altar of incense and the Ark of the Covenant entirely covered with gold, in it were the gold jar containing the manna, the staff of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tablets of the covenant” (Hebrews 9:4)

• The Stone tablets of the Covenant

The Stone tablets were inscribed with the Ten Commandments. These laws inscribed on the tablets are the words of God provided to Moses for the people of Israel. Similarly Mother Mary conceived Jesus Christ in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. John 1:14 describes Jesus as “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us”. This Word of God was made flesh and resided inside Mother Mary.

• The Golden Jar consisting of Manna

There was golden jar with Manna in the Ark of the Covenant. The Manna is the heavenly food provide by God to sustain the people of Israel during their exodus through the desert. Jesus proclaims in John 6:51 that He is the living bread that came down from heaven. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51).The bread of life which came down from heaven was conceived in Mother Mary.

• Aaron’s rod which budded

Aaron’s rod which budded signified the role of God’s chosen High Priest who had the exclusive right to approach the tabernacle and perform sacrifices. Jesus is the eternal High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek designated by God. “He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:9-10)

Therefore Mother Mary also retained these treasures of the Ark of the Covenant, Jesus Christ who is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14), is the Bread of Life from heaven (John 6:51) and is the Great High Priest (Hebrews 5:10). Thus Mother Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant.