During this morning’s catechesis, the pope recalled the four essential characteristics of the life of the Church: listening to the preaching of the apostles, reciprocal communion, the breaking of bread and prayer.
He also explained that constant prayer has always been the driving force of the missionary activity since the early Christians. In fact, he advised imitating the example of the early members of the Church.
The pope added that constant prayer “keeps the memory of Christ alive in his Church” and grants courage and conviction to all those missionaries, who, even today, face challenges, dangers and persecution for the sake of the Gospel.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on prayer, we now reflect on how constant prayer was the driving force of the missionary activity of the first Christians. Saint Luke tells us that they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
Today too the Church’s life is centred on prayer, which unites us to Christ, and inspires our witness to the Gospel and our charitable service to those in need.
In prayer, we experience the life of the risen Jesus who, in the power of the Spirit, continues to be present to our world, especially in the Church’s teaching and sacraments, and our efforts to advance his kingdom of reconciliation, justice and peace.
The Catechism teaches that the Holy Spirit “keeps the memory of Christ alive in his Church” (n. 2625), and grants courage and conviction to all those missionaries, who, in our day too, face arduous journeys, dangers and persecution for the sake of the Gospel.
Like the early Christians, may we learn, through the cultivation of personal and communal prayer, to be ever more closely united to the Triune God of love, and to bring that same love to the world around us.
I cordially greet the English-speaking faithful. As we prepare to embark upon our Advent journey, may the light of Christ illumine our paths and dispel all darkness from our hearts.
Upon you and your families I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!
Christian Campos
