👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾A Homily on the #Holy #Virgin #Mary The #Queen of #Humility, the #Ark of the #Covenant, and the #Intercessor of #Mankind
O you faithful children of the apostolic inheritance, you who drink from the ancient wells of the holy fathers, lend me your ears and hearts, for today we speak of her who is more glorious than the cherubim and more honorable than the seraphim Our Mother, the Holy Virgin Mary.
Let us magnify her, not with words alone, but with deep contemplation of what the Scriptures and the saints have spoken concerning her. For no woman has been prophesied of like the Blessed Virgin no one among Eve’s daughters has been clothed with such mystery and glory.
1. The Virgin Foretold: Her Symbols in the Old Testament
The Holy Scriptures are filled with the whisper of her coming. In type and shadow, the Old Covenant bore witness to the one who would become the Mother of God:
She is Noah’s Hamer, the tool of righteousness in the midst of a sinful generation.
She is the Dove of Peace, who returns to the ark bearing the olive branch of reconciliation.
She is Abraham’s Tent, in which God chose to dwell.
She is the Sinai Hamelmal (Ets Patos), the bush that burned with divine fire yet was not consumed.
She is the Tablets of Moses, upon which God’s Word was written.
She is Joshua’s Testimony, the sure witness of God's covenant.
She is Elijah’s Golden Basket, carrying heavenly sustenance.
She is Aaron’s Rod, which budded though dead, just as her womb bore life though untouched by man.
She is Zemir Zegideon, Gideon’s fleece wet with dew, while all the earth remained dry.
She is Daniel’s Mountain (Debir Newahit Ze daniel), from which a stone was cut not by human hands.
She is the Rainbow, the sign of God’s enduring covenant with mankind.
She is Etse Sabek, the tree that bore sweet fruit.
She is Jacob’s Ladder, stretching from earth to heaven, through whom God descended and man ascended.
She is Elisha’s Pot, never empty of oil, a vessel of divine grace.
She is a Fenced Plant, a Sealed Spring (Song of Songs 4:12), untouched, undefiled, ever pure.
These are not mere poetic metaphors but divine echoes, declaring that this Virgin is the vessel of the mystery, the throne of the Invisible, the dwelling of the Most High.
2. Her Glorious Titles in the Church and Among the Saints
What language is sufficient to praise her? What tongue shall dare to describe her beauty and humility?
The saints, burning with divine inspiration, cry out:
Mother of us all
Queen who stands at the right hand of the King
Ever-Virgin
Pure and holy Virgin
Full of grace
Mother of light, mercy, salvation, and faith
She is the wine of faith that warms the cold heart. She is the helper of the helpless and the consolation of the sorrowful.
Indeed, Saint James the Elder bore witness: “She was full of holiness in the sight of God, and He was pleased to place His pure Word in her womb.” And what was her response? Not pride nor self-glorification, but humility, that golden garment which adorned her more than any crown:
“He has looked upon the lowliness of His servant.” (Luke 1:48)
Saint Ephrem, that sacred lyre of the Holy Spirit, cried out:
“O mountain that spoke humbly!”
Though higher than all mountains, she lowered herself as a valley.
Continues 👇🏾