Saints LightMary in Scripture: New Eve and Ark of the Covenant
Scripture presents Mary as the new Eve, whose obedience undid Eve's disobedience, and as the new Ark who carried God himself.
What this lesson teaches
- Early Fathers such as Justin and Irenaeus saw Mary as the new Eve, whose obedience undid Eve's disobedience.
- Genesis 3:15 is read as the first announcement of the Redeemer and his mother.
- Luke's Visitation echoes David bringing the Ark, presenting Mary as the new Ark of the Covenant.
- These are typological readings from Scripture and the Fathers, not separate dogmas.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 411
- CCC 494
- CCC 2676
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: 2 Samuel 6:9 (2 Kings in Douay-Rheims); Luke 1:43; Revelation 11:19 (Apocalypse in Douay-Rheims).
A sample question from this lesson
What contrast did the early Fathers draw between Eve and Mary?
- Eve was holy and Mary was sinful
- Eve's disobedience brought death, and Mary's obedience opened the way to the Savior
- Eve was the mother of the Church and Mary of Israel
- There was no contrast; they were seen as the same person
Show the answer
Eve's disobedience brought death, and Mary's obedience opened the way to the Savior. Irenaeus writes that the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by Mary's obedience, as the lesson's source shows.
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- New Eve
- A title for Mary, whose faith and obedience reversed the disobedience of the first Eve.
- Ark of the Covenant
- The sacred chest where God's presence dwelt in Israel; a figure of Mary, who carried Christ.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"Mary in Scripture: New Eve and Ark of the Covenant" is lesson 6 of Mary and the Saints. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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- Creation, the Fall and Why the World Is Broken (Start Here, free)