Sunday, August 18, 2013

548. How did the first Christian community in Jerusalem pray?



548. How did the first Christian community in Jerusalem pray?       

(Comp 548) At the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles it is written that in the first community of Jerusalem, educated in the life of prayer by the Holy Spirit, the faithful “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
“In brief”
(CCC 2621) In his teaching, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with a purified heart, with lively and persevering faith, with filial boldness. He calls them to vigilance and invites them to present their petitions to God in his name. Jesus Christ himself answers prayers addressed to him.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 2623) On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of the Promise was poured out on the disciples, gathered "together in one place" (Acts 2:1). While awaiting the Spirit, "all these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer" (Acts 1:14). The Spirit who teaches the Church and recalls for her everything that Jesus said (Cf. Jn 14:26) was also to form her in the life of prayer.     
Reflection
(CCC 2624) In the first community of Jerusalem, believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). This sequence is characteristic of the Church's prayer: founded on the apostolic faith; authenticated by charity; nourished in the Eucharist.    

(Next question: How does the Holy Spirit intervene in the Church’s prayer?)

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