Joseph S. Pagano
The Rev. Joseph S. Pagano is an Episcopal priest living in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. He is co-editor of Common Prayer: Reflections on Episcopal Worship and Saving Words: 20 Redemptive Words Worth Rescuing.
Sermons and Bible Studies
Come to Me, Proper 9 (A) – 2020
[RCL]: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45: 11-18 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 In our Gospel lesson, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that […]
Modern-Day Donatism and the Gospel, Proper 25 (C) – 2019
[RCL]: Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14 At a recent church gathering, participants were told to come ready to answer the following question: Which ancient heresy […]
Astounding, Day of Pentecost (C) – 2019
[RCL]: Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17, (25-27) In our lesson about Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on […]
The Angels’ Question, The Great Vigil of Easter – 2019
On the first Easter, very early in the morning, the women come to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body. They find the stone rolled away so they enter […]
Let Me See, Proper 25 (B) – 2018
The ancients used to call sight, “The Queen of the Senses.” I suspect this enthronement of the sense of sight is still understandable to us. After all, what is lovelier […]
Names, Holy Name Day – 2018
Names can tell us a lot about people’s characters and the roles they play in a story. One of the pleasures of reading literature is discovering the meaning of characters’ […]
The Beatitudes and Barriers, All Saints’ Day (A) – 2017
When we hear Jesus’ beatitudes, what do we think? Maybe, we think, “Wow, these are the most beautiful words I have ever heard.” We may think, “Wow, these are beautiful […]
The Ultimate Act of a Merciful God, Monday in Holy Week – 2017
At the regular celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we hear these familiar words: “After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it […]
Here’s How Much I Love You, Christmas Day (III) – 2016
In the movie “Cool Hand Luke,” Paul Newman plays Luke, a prisoner in a Florida prison camp, who refuses to conform to prison life. In a famous scene, Luke tries […]
The Test of all Happiness Is Gratitude, Proper 23 (C) – 2016
Gratitude has become something of a hot topic among psychologists recently. And what is really interesting is that the research is showing is that gratitude is good for you. It […]
Finding Balance, Advent 2 (C) – 2015
I’m reading a book right now by a person who really irritates me. I’m not sure that is the right description. She bothers me; she gets under my skin; she […]
A Second Chance, a Clean Heart, Lent 5 (B) – 2015
In today’s psalm we prayed, “Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” In Milwaukee, St. Luke’s Hospital is renowned for its cardiac […]
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