Sunday 23 December

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Micah 5:1-4, Ps 80, Hebrews 10:5-10,
Luke 1:39-44

“Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?”

The Ark of the Covenant was a gold-coated box sacred to the Jews. It contained the tablets of stone inscribed with the 10 commandments, some of the manna upon which they fed in the desert and the rod of Aaron. On the top were two golden seraphs with their wings stretching out to each other. Between the two angels was the throne of mercy, the meeting place with God. When the Babylonians captured Jerusalem in 597 BC the Ark went missing and has never been seen since. At the Annunciation Mary became the new Ark of the Covenant hosting the presence of God. “Blessed is the fruit of your womb.”