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 Peace mobile app where

all the meditations are free as they should be.

This meditation passage from Matthew chapter 12 is fascinating, but it requires some context.

The setting is that the Pharisees have just decided to kill Jesus for healing a man on

the Sabbath, but instead of protecting himself by force, Jesus quietly withdraws.

What makes this so amazing is that Jesus Christ had every right and certainly the divine

ability to claim His kingdom by force, but instead He chose patience and gentleness.

Many of us show our badge of religion with brash fanfare, but Jesus did His work and tried

to avoid notoriety.

He was conquering instead by the force of truth, love, and spiritual power.

So how do you display your own religious beliefs and kindness or pride in humility or notoriety?

Well, the theme for this meditation from Matthew chapter 12 is gentleness.

To live like Christ, to walk through your world not for personal gain, but self-sacrifice,

not looking for war, but humble and silent retreat.

So whether at the rising or setting of the sun, give yourself this gift of quiet meditation,

to live a life of quiet gentleness.

Take this opening moment to quiet your mind, your eyes, your breathing, and your heart.

And for a moment, center in silence on living like Christ.

Secure in this holy retreat, listen and respond to this reading from John chapter 3, and

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