Ask Ellen: I would like to see an explanation on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. I get it and make sure my students do, but I think it is one of the most misunderstood feasts on the calendar. Kim, PA

You are right, Kim. This is one of the most misunderstood Catholic feasts.  In order to understand it, one must have a firm grasp on the Old Testament.  You might be thinking, I don’t know much about the Bible but I am fairly sure that Mary appears in the New Testament.  True.  But much like everything concerning Mary, we have to understand her Son to understand her.

Think back to the Ark of the Covenant.  Yes, it even OK if all you know about it is from watching, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”  In the Old Testament, The Ark was believed to contain the Presence of God.  It contained three things symbolizing the early Israelites' faith:  The Ten Commandments (representing the Law), Manna (the bread from heaven that God provided) and Aaron’s budding rod (representing priestly authority).  The Ark was carried on poles and no one was to touch it.  If you don’t believe me look at what happened to Uzziah!  There were many rules about who could approach the Ark and the way they were to be purified before they did.

Ok, Ellen, so what does this have to do with Mary?  Catholics believe that Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant.  Please remember that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the things that were alluded to in the Old Testament.  Think about it…He is the New Law (think about the Beatitudes and His “All You Need Is Love” …sorry had to get the Beatles in…messages), He is Bread from heaven (think Eucharist) and He is the High Priest (think of the Church He established).  With all of that in mind, we see Mary as the New Ark.  Her womb contained the very Presence of God.

That is why the Church teaches that she was born without sin.  She had to be pure to contain the fullness of God and the fullness of Man.  It makes sense in light of the purity rules of the Old Testament.  As Catholics, we read Scripture with the whole Bible in mind.  When you do this, you see Mary as the New Ark.

Catholics celebrate the feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception on December 8.  We celebrate that Mary was conceived and remained sinless in expectation of the baby she was to carry.  It has nothing to do with Jesus’ virgin birth.  It has everything to do with Mary.  So, do not go chasing after …..rainbows, oops sorry…the lost Ark of the Old Testament when you have the fullness of the New Ark advocating for you in heaven.