Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Episode: Day 30: The New Ark (2026)
Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR (with Ascension)
Main Theme:
Exploring the biblical foundations of Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant, especially through the lens of Luke’s Gospel and its connection to Old Testament imagery. The episode draws out profound parallels between Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth and David bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, ultimately inviting listeners to rediscover joy in God’s presence.
Episode Overview
- Fr. Mark-Mary introduces the second joyful mystery of the Rosary—the Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)—and unpacks its deep Scriptural roots.
- The central focus is on understanding Mary as the “new Ark of the Covenant.”
- Drawing on scholarship (especially Dr. Brant Pitre’s Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary), the episode offers insights on how Mary fulfills Old Testament images and what that means for our relationship with Jesus and Marian devotion.
- The tone is reflective, instructive, and pastoral, aimed at deepening both knowledge and prayer.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Scriptural Foundation: The Ark of the Covenant
[01:33–04:15]
- The Ark was the sacred chest where God’s presence dwelt among the Israelites (Book of Exodus).
- Contents of the Ark: Aaron’s staff, a jar of manna, and the Ten Commandments.
- “God clearly communicates that the ark is going to be where he will dwell, where he will meet with his people, and it’s going to be where he’s going to lead them and bring them to victory.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [03:10]
- The Ark is essential for Israel’s victory and guidance; God’s presence is tangible when the Ark is in their midst.
- The Ark eventually disappears when the temple is destroyed, “this sign of God being with his people and leading his people into victory... is going to be lost.” [04:09]
2. Mary as the New Ark
[04:10–05:40]
- At the Annunciation, the angel tells Mary that the Holy Spirit will “overshadow” her.
- “What we see here in the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit of Mary is the return of this glory cloud... we see Mary now as the new Ark of the Covenant.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [04:36]
- The old Ark carried sacred objects; Mary, the new Ark, carries Jesus—“the high priest, the bread from heaven, the fulfillment and the giver of the law.” [04:48]
- Luke intentionally draws this parallel to show Mary’s unique role in salvation history.
3. Parallels Between Visitation and the Old Testament Ark
[05:42–08:40]
- Fr. Mark-Mary systematically highlights four key parallels between Luke's Visitation narrative and 2 Samuel 6:
- Both Mary and David “arose and went to the hill country” to Judah ([06:05]).
- David’s sense of unworthiness before the Ark correlates with Elizabeth’s humble question: “And why is this granted me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” ([06:25])
- David leaps/dances before the Ark; John the Baptist leaps in Elizabeth’s womb ([06:45]).
- The Ark stays in Obed-Edom’s house three months; Mary remains with Elizabeth three months ([07:08]).
- “Very clearly, Luke the evangelist is connecting Jesus as the new Moses, Jesus as the new David... Mary as the new ark of the covenant.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [07:50]
4. Theological Reflection: The Divine Presence and Joy
[08:41–10:10]
- The episode transitions to the theme of joy:
- “One of the great scandals of Christians is that we are people without joy, that we have forgotten that God is with us, or we've forgotten what it means for God to be with us.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [09:32]
- The presence of God with His people—whether through the Ark, through Mary, through Jesus—should move Christians to deep rejoicing.
- Invites listeners to recognize and reclaim joy as a sign of God’s closeness.
5. Application: God With Us Now
[10:24–10:53]
- “My brothers and sisters, Jesus is with us. He remained with us most beautifully in the Most Blessed Sacrament. He comes to us again and again in prayer. He comes to us in the Eucharist. He comes to us through the Blessed Virgin Mary.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [10:24]
- A call to ask for grace to “be renewed in joy, because God is here with us. He’s here to continue to guide us, to meet us, to teach us, and ultimately to bring us victory.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [10:46]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Ark’s significance:
“It’s where God is going to dwell. It’s where he’s going to meet with His People, it’s where he’s going to lead his people, and the Ark is going to bring them victory.” [03:10 – Fr. Mark-Mary] -
On Mary’s role:
“Now Mary in her womb is going to carry Jesus, the high priest, the bread from heaven, the fulfillment and the giver of the law.” [04:48 – Fr. Mark-Mary] -
Connecting Old and New Testament:
“Very clearly, Luke the evangelist is connecting Jesus as the new Moses, Jesus as the new David... Mary as the new ark of the covenant.” [07:50 – Fr. Mark-Mary] -
A call to joy:
“One of the great scandals of Christians is that we are people without joy... We have forgotten that God is with us, or we've forgotten what it means for God to be with us.” [09:32 – Fr. Mark-Mary] -
On God’s presence today:
“Jesus is with us. He remained with us most beautifully in the Most Blessed Sacrament. He comes to us again and again in prayer... Let us ask for the grace to be renewed in joy.” [10:24, 10:46 – Fr. Mark-Mary]
Important Timestamps
- 00:55–01:33 – Gospel reading of the Visitation (Luke 1:39–56)
- 01:33–04:15 – Explanation of the Ark of the Covenant’s biblical meaning
- 04:10–05:40 – Mary as the new Ark; Annunciation connections
- 05:42–08:40 – Four parallels between Mary’s Visitation and David with the Ark
- 08:41–10:10 – Reflection on Christian joy and God’s presence
- 10:24–10:53 – Application to daily life; encouragement to experience God’s presence
- 11:03–12:31 – Praying the Our Father, Hail Marys, and concluding with Glory Be
Conclusion
Fr. Mark-Mary wraps up by inviting listeners to pray and ask for the grace of joy, rooted in the reality that God is with us—in the Eucharist, through Mary, and in our daily lives. The episode both educates and exhorts, offering a rich Scriptural meditation on the Marian mystery and how joy is a fruit of recognizing the presence of God.