The house where Jesus gave us the Most Blessed Sacrament has become truly
a House of Prayer in the days following the institution of this Great
Sacrament of Love, and Jesus' Ascension. I am given to understand that it
is by far a holier place than the great temple, where the majority of the
Jews still go to fulfill the Mosaic Law.
I further understand that in the first several days following Our Lord's
Ascension, the eleven Apostles with Mary, the Mother of God, and the holy
women accompanied by faithful disciples have lived here in the first
Christian community. They have changed, I note, most of these people.
There is a stillness, which has come over them. It is not so much that
they speak little, or do they move about with quick, jerky movements. This
is an inner stillness, which emanates from their souls and grows more
deeply rooted every day.
I am given to understand that it usually the faithful disciples who go out
into the city proper to make purchases of food for all the community. Many
of these disciples use what little money they have. But the town of
Jerusalem does not have blind eyes, and there are some of its citizens who,
knowing of the House where the followers of Jesus Christ lodge, bring them
alms, be it money or food, and even at times clothing.
Many of the disciples stay for several days, then leave to make room for
others, as their own homes are within a day's walk. But on the Sabbath,
all are gathered, as many as will fill the House, to remember all that our
Blessed Lord instructed them, and to do as He commanded.
Contrary to Jewish custom and law, they commemorate the Last Supper on the
day upon which Jesus rose from the dead, thus clearly defining the New Law
which Christ brought to earth, and commissioned His Apostles and all who
would believe, to spread to the four corners of the world.
Thus, they have made their beginning, and the sense of heavenly Peace
permeates the House, as it comes from the heart of all that dwell there.
At these times there must be close to two hundred people jammed into every
corner of the House, but always the Apostles look to Peter, their head, for
guidance.
Peter has grown greatly in humility, for he who is the first Pope,
Christ's Vicar on earth, does not esteem himself worthy of the great task,
which he sees before him. So it is that Peter quite often seeks the
prayers and counsel of Our Lord's Own Mother, who is ever-patient, filled
with love and possessed by the Holy Spirit as these Apostles are not yet
filled.
Yet, the Mother prepares them for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the great
Paraclete, the Advocate and Sanctifier, Pure and spotless, her soul ever
communicates with the Most Blessed Trinity, and guided by the Holy Spirit
is the gentle, humble mother who listens and speaks words of Wisdom to all,
but particularly to Peter.
As the first days after the Ascension passed, the assembled faithful
followers found prayer difficult. Thus, they spoke often and longingly of
the Lord, recalling in great detail all He said and did while amongst them.
In each one the longing to see Jesus again is evident. But they are not
saddened to the point of immobility. Guided by God's graces and the
prudent counsel of the Mother of God, the nucleus of Christ's True Church,
the Mystical Body, is formed, and thus are Jesus' teachings not only
remembered, but lived.
It is thus that after expressing, each in his or her own way, the memories
of Our Lord and Savior, they find themselves drawn to a deeper prayer, a
wordless prayer of contemplation wherein God prepares them to receive the
Holy Spirit, Who shall complete in them that which Jesus began.
There are no words I can use to describe the growing community of these
faith-filled people. There is a harmony and peace, which is not
superficial, but deep. They are becoming as fine-tuned instruments who
live together without strife, quarrel, complaint, or jealousy of any kind.
There is a oneness here, as Jesus intended it to be, and always, before
their eager eyes, Mary, Our Lord's Mother, gives the perfect example of
Christian perfection.
Now, I am given to understand, more than a month has passed since the
Resurrection. They have learned to speak little, and to pray much. Often
their prayers are individual, but several times a day they gather together
and are led in prayer by Peter, who has started to become the 'rock' Christ
willed him to be.
And it is through the Blessed Mother that this formation of Peter is
secured, for her prayers of intercession are always answered by her Divine
Son Who dwells now within her and does not depart, so inseparable are Their
hearts.