You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast to help you find the sacred in

the ordinary.

We have 100 meditation episodes on this podcast, but if you want to listen for free to the

entire library of 500, I encourage you to download the Encountering Piece mobile app where

all the meditations are free as they should be.

Do you ever feel alone, isolated and persecuted, while Mother Teresa once wrote that loneliness

in the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty?

Does that feel like your reality?

Will allow me to open the door to your new reality?

You aren't alone, and you are wanted.

You are surrounded by so great a crowd of others who can help you strip off every unnecessary

burden, weight, persecution and sin that entangles you.

But have you ever felt alone and persecuted for doing what you thought was right?

Well the theme for this meditation from Matthew 5 is being known and being free, setting

your eyes on Jesus and running with the crowd of others that seek to worship Him, do

not live life alone, but celebrate the freedom found in Christ alone.

So to begin your meditation, let's slip into a time and a place where you can become

aware of and reflect upon the protection of God.

Take this opening moment now to center your mind, close your eyes and quiet your breathing.

For a moment rest in silence on contemplating the benevolence and the care of the Holy

Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Safe in this sanctuary, listen and respond to this reading from James 1 and as I lead us,

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