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Mary The Ark of the New Covenant: For what other reason does the Holy Spirit compel the Church to pray to Mary for her powerful intercession
Dec 8, 2018 14:07:26   #
Doc110 Loc: York PA
 
8/14/2009 Mary: The Ark of the New Covenant

Sonja Corbitt
https://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=34248


Located in the Holy of Holies of the Old Testament tabernacle, the innermost chamber of the Holy Place, was a special piece of furniture.

Partitioned off on one side by a veil richly woven in blue, scarlet, and purple thread and embroidered with ornate, gold cherubim, the ark, the most important object in the tabernacle, was enclosed on the three remaining sides with wood paneling overlaid with gold.

Within this beautiful cocoon, the ark rested secretly in the Holy of Holies, bearing the presence of the Lord in the cloud.

Only about three feet by one and a half feet in size, the ark was made of cedar-like wood overlaid with gold.

Its lid was decorated with two of the glorious, worshipping cherubim, beaten from one piece of gold that further enclosed the lid of the ark within the covering of their wings.

Thus, the ark was carefully surrounded by worship, privacy, and mystery.

The word "ark" strangely and prophetically means "coffin," since the Lord used it somewhat as a throne.

Inside the small box were the following: the Ten Words (the Ten Commandments),a pot of manna, and Aaron's fruited almond rod. All were fitting reminders of God's perpetual provision for His beloved people.

The ark traveled everywhere with them.

Borne on the priests' shoulders, it was carried like a litter, with poles thrust through rings on the sides which made its transport easier, and it was the priests bearing the ark that led the people through the wilderness for forty years, all the way to the Jordan River separating the Israelites from the Promised Land.

Bearing the ark's leadership and the cloud of the Lord on it, it wasn't until the priests' bare toes touched the waters of faith that they separated, in the same way they had at the Red Sea, to allow them to walk through the river on a dry bed.

And so they processed across the Jordan into the Promised Land.



This Promised Land would be no picnic, however, for the first thing the people encountered was Jericho, a fortified stronghold whose inhabitants the Israelites had to rout in order to begin making the land their own.

By perhaps the most unorthodox method in the history of warfare, the Israelites brought a coffin-throne, with which to do battle, to a siege.
(Joshua 6)

At the command of God, seven trumpet-blowing priests led the people and the ark in a procession around the city for seven days.
(Trumpets are a Scriptural symbol of the Voice/Word of God.).

On the seventh day, after encircling Jericho seven times, and ending the procession with shouting and trumpet blowing, the walls of the city fell and the people took it completely.



I read recently that Mother Teresa prayed what she called "express novenas" to Our Lady.

She would say nine Memorares in a row, all at once, when she needed immediate help.

"Inspired by this confidence," I realized something important.

The same creative, speaking, brooding Holy Spirit "moving" on the face of the Genesis waters.
(Genesis 1:2)

Is the same Spirit, or "breath," that rested on the mercy seat of the Ark, filling the tabernacle, and giving life to the Israelites through what He spoke to Moses.
(Exodus 40:34-35)

And the same Spirit that "overshadowed" the Virgin Mary.
(Luke 1:35)

Conceiving new Life, the Eternal Word thus became the Incarnate Word, in her womb.

"And the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us..."
(John 1:14)



It is for this reason, and several other striking parallels that the early Church Fathers regarded Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant.

The Ark on which the Spirit uniquely rested, and which accompanied the Israelites on all their journeys, was arguably the most integral part of the victory at the Old Testament Battle of Jericho, and I would suggest to you that she still is.



For what other reason does the Holy Spirit compel the Church to pray to Mary for her powerful intercession.

If it isn't to bring the Ark's influence to bear on our lives and situations, and in much the same manner, processing with her around fortified strongholds in prayer?



A wonderful invitation of grace and means of 'conquering' in our own difficult situations.

We must be careful to bear our beloved Ark upon our shoulders as we move forward into battles of faith, proclaiming the Scriptures, blowing our trumpets, praying our prayers, processing in joyful expectancy for the moment when the walls fall flat.


There is no stronghold that can withstand the power of God's presence on the Ark.



Remember, most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known.

That anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you, oh Virgin of virgins, my Mother. T

o you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me, and grant me....


Sonja Corbitt is a Catholic Scripture teacher, study author and speaker.

She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online.

Visit her at www.pursuingthesummit.com and www.pursuingthesummit.blogspot.com.

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Dec 8, 2018 15:09:31   #
Rose42
 
Why indeed does the Catholic church promote idolatry when the Bible so strictly forbids it?

Why do they insist on worshiping a dead woman and demeaning Christ's perfect sacrifice and God's love for us by praying to an idol instead? As if she could influence God? Is God perfect? Not to the Catholic church he isn't.

Why do they insist she remained a virgin when in fact the Bible said Jesus had brothers?

Why do they insist she can be a mediator when God's word is so beautifully and unambiguously clear -
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Timothy 2:5

I've read the Catholic apologist rebuttals to this and they have no validity. It's just like when Satan tried to use scripture to tempt Christ. That's the way the Catholic church uses scripture.

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Dec 8, 2018 16:21:02   #
Doc110 Loc: York PA
 
rose42


Rose you throw out word term below, like Hog-wallop compost crap . . .

You have no Protestant religious meaning, comprehension or understanding of word definitions and how to imply the words factually.

All you profess is anti-Catholic hate-speech, Protestant ambivalence-belligerent prejudices and you openly announce your hatred for the Catholic Church . . .

On this OPP Forum I have Labeled you as one of the 5 Horse-men and Horse-Woman of the Protestant-Apocalypse

The 11 term's below is quite apparent and relevant for the OPP religious Forum readers to see and to understand. Who and what you are as a very shallow Protestant christian person.

a. idolatry
b. worshiping a dead woman
c. praying to an idol instead
d. she could influence God
e. she remained a virgin
f. Jesus had brothers
g. she can be a mediator
h. I've read the Catholic apologist rebuttals
i. they have no validity
J. Satan tried to use scripture to tempt Christ.
k. the way the Catholic church uses scripture.

Try refuting the 11 above claims, that you have commented on in your reply.

Prove them scripturally from the Bible.

1. That your protestant assertions are correct. Then on every comment and biblical passage prove factually your rebuttal comments.

2. Then try and prove them biblically incorrect in the Catholic Church and the author of the Article post. Why not reach out and text her and tell her what you think.

3. All you do Rose42 is provide your Protestant religious rational for your religious beliefs. But you are unable to prove any of your 11 points with any facts.

Why not reach out and text her and tell Sonja Corbitt what you think.
I'm sure Sonja Corbitt would be very surprised at your superfluous anti-Catholic opinions.
https://www.catholic.org/about/contactus.php
https://www.catholic.org/about/contactus.php
customerservice@catholiconline.email


I doubt that you have the experience and fortitude to disprove the Article post and your c11 assertions to be proven biblically correct. . .

Cricket's . . . Cricket's . . . Cricket's . . . Cricket's . . . Cricket's . . . Cricket's . . . Cricket's . . . Cricket's . . .


The Straw-Man fallacy argument all over again and again, . . . in your case. . . . The Straw-Woman Protestant fallacy, argument.


Ahhhh, the anti-Catholic hate monger returns, . . . to spew fourth her Protestant self-interpreting mumbo-jumbo gibberish nonsense.


Instead of trashing the article post . . . Mary: Ark of the New Covenant (Biblical Evidences)


Why not start refuting the Old and New Testament passages.

Try proving your statement with facts . . . not accusations and false charecuerations "How Satan tries to use scripture to justify false doctrine.


Prove what you say rose42.

Other than that, you are a Protestant "blow-hard" . . . with no voice and nothing to say. . . . What has a cat got your tongue ? . . .

That rose42 my misguided friend . . . you are completely unable to do . . .


Guess you hate the title, Mary the Mother of God.


Refute that rose42, if you can . . .


Better yet, why not contact the Author Dave Armstrong, Catholic apologetics Catholic convert and writer, a former Presbyterian and tell him what you think.

He is on the internet.

To be deep in scripture, is to cease being Protestant.
Venerable, Cardinal John Henry Newman . . . Convert to Catholicism.


Doc110

Rose42 wrote:

Why indeed does the Catholic church promote idolatry when the Bible so strictly forbids it?

Why do they insist on worshiping a dead woman and demeaning Christ's perfect sacrifice and God's love for us by praying to an idol instead? As if she could influence God? Is God perfect? Not to the Catholic church he isn't.

Why do they insist she remained a virgin when in fact the Bible said Jesus had brothers?

Why do they insist she can be a mediator when God's word is so beautifully and unambiguously clear -
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Timothy 2:5

I've read the Catholic apologist rebuttals to this and they have no validity. It's just like when Satan tried to use scripture to tempt Christ. That's the way the Catholic church uses scripture.
br Why indeed does the Catholic church promote id... (show quote)

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