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| "The house of the Temple all in gold" (1 Kings 7) |
The sumptuously decorated medallion shows Mary holding a branch or scepter of lilies. The medallion rests on an impressive baroque structure, symbolizing the "golden house." Two inscriptions highlight the Marian connection. The glorious Christ utters these words, "This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I desire it" (Psalm 132:14). The second inscription reads, "The Lord's glory filled the house of God" (2 Chronicles 5:14). Both of these quotes point to the Incarnation. Mary is the "House of Gold" harboring Jesus Christ; she is his "resting place." Thus, she is filled with God's glory.
The designation "House of Gold" goes back to the "Inner Sanctum" of the Tent of the Covenant and to Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6:20-22). Solomon's Temple gave special distinction to the "Holy of Holiest." It was all in gold as befits the dwelling place of God Almighty. Mary is called "House of God" because she was the dwelling place of God Incarnate, and as such filled with grace and virtues, especially those of humility and purity.
She is in her own right (as says the lemma),
"The house of the Temple all in gold" (1 Kings 7).
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