The first reading from the First Book of Chronicles (vigil Mass) tells us about the entry of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. This occurred during the time of King David (10th century BC). It was a spectacular celebration. The Ark had been built in the desert approximately 250 years earlier. The Ark's destination was always Jerusalem.

In the first reading from the Book of Revelation (Mass during the Day), St. John tells us about his vision of the Ark of the Covenant in heaven. Why is the Ark of the Covenant a theme of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary?

The Ark of the Covenant was characterized by these three things: First, the Ark contained the Decalogue, which was the heart of the Covenant. Second, the Ark facilitated a particular presence of God among the people. God was consulted through it. Carrying the Ark into battle was like carrying God Himself as a defense. Third, the Ark was the mercy seat of God.

Through the gift of God's Law, God became present among the people of Israel, and the people were able to live in God's presence. This explanation of the Ark of the Old Covenant's meaning is important for understanding what it foreshadowed. The Ark of the Covenant foreshadowed the Ark of the New Covenant, which is the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The presence of God in the Old Testament found its ultimate expression in the sanctity of the Law contained in the Ark of the Covenant. In this way, the Ark became a physical symbol of God's most intense presence. The presence of God in the New Testament finds its ultimate expression in the Son of God and Son of Mary. The Son of God embodies the Law through his actions and his indescribable holiness as God incarnate. In this way, the Blessed Virgin Mary, by carrying this Son in her womb, is the physical symbol of the most intense presence of God in the New Testament.

St. Luke, in today's Gospel reading (Mass during the Day), tells us about Mary's visit to her relative Elizabeth. Mary carried the Lord in her womb. Mary mysteriously communicated the presence of the Lord to her relative and to St. John the Baptist in Elizabeth's womb.

The Church has always taught that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. The special woman who helped give human life to the eternal Word of God would, after her mortal life, go to occupy a special place in heaven. The participation of the Mother of God in the resurrection, by God's design, would not be postponed until the end of time. She had earned that participation from the very moment of her Immaculate Conception.

The Church presents the Blessed Virgin Mary to us as a sign of sure hope. The promise of the Resurrection from the dead is also for us. The Church invites us today to be special arks, bearers of God's presence. We are God's presence through faith, hope, and charity. The Saints in heaven are bearers of God's presence. Even in this world, we believers must bear God's presence in anticipation of the life of glory that will one day be revealed to us.

Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for us so that we may be faithful bearers of God's presence in the world.