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.
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