Mary: the vine, the cedar, the Ark, Mary: Day 010

Last updated on: July 31, 2015 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Mary: the vine, the cedar, the Ark, Mary: Day 010 2015-07-18T13:00:09-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mary: the vine, the cedar, the Ark

St. Alphonsus notes several additional images of Mary from the Old Testament.
Mary is said to be “terrible” to the powers of hell, “as an army in battle array” (Sg 6:10). She is called terrifying because she knows well how to array her power, her mercy, and her prayers, to the defeat of her enemies, and for the benefit of her servants, who in their temptations turn to her most powerful aid. “As the vine, I have brought forth a pleasant odor” (Ecclus 24:23). These words the Holy Spirit has Mary speak in the book of Ecclesiasticus. “We are told,” says St. Bernard in commenting on this passage, that “all venomous rep- tiles fly from flowering vines”: for as poisonous reptiles fly from flowering vines, so do demons fly from those fortunate souls in whom they perceive the perfume
of devotion to Mary.
She also calls herself, in the same book, a cedar: “I was exalted like a cedar” (Ecclus 24:17). Cardinal Hugo of St. Cher remarks on this text that this compari- son is made for two reasons. First, Mary was untainted by sin, just as the cedar is incorruptible. Second, “like the cedar, which by its fragrance keeps away moths, so also does Mary by her sanctity drive away the demons.”
Among the ancient Hebrews, victories were gained by means of the Ark of the Covenant. In this way Moses conquered his enemies, as we learn from the Book of Numbers. “And when the Ark was lifted up, Moses said: “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered” (Num 10:35).
It is well known that this Ark was a foreshadowing of Mary. For as manna was in the Ark, so is Jesus (of whom manna was a foreshadowing) in Mary; and by means of this Ark we gain the victory over our enemies on earth and in hell. “In this way,” St. Bernardine of Siena well observes, “when Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant, was raised to the dignity of Queen of Heaven, the power of hell over men was weakened and dissolved.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
What other images, drawn from my own experience, would be fitting symbols of Our Lady?
CLOSING PRAYER
Blessed Mother, you are the great highway to heaven, stretching out across the hills and valleys to make the way straight and smooth on our journey home to your Son.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

Uncategorized

A Year with Mary

Paul Thigpen

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

Saint Benedict Press

Previous Post

July 30, 2015

CBB Giveaway - A Year with Mary

Next Post

August 1, 2015 Mary, the Ark of God, Mary: Day 011

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz