Author Archives: Bill Paine

Call it divine providence or just one of life’s funny little quirks, but once in a while I experience a thought-provoking convergence of otherwise disparate elements of my daily existence. My friends know of my involvement in a men’s organization … Continue reading →

Today’s gospel reading, Matthew 16:1-12,takes place after Matthew’s version of the miracle of bread and fish. After another in a series of confrontations with Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus tells his disciples to “Take heed and beware of the leaven of … Continue reading →

There’s an old military truism that states that no plan survives contact with the enemy. My enemy is inertia: all too easily, I can find an excuse not to sit down at the computer and compose a post for this … Continue reading →

The Daily Office readings since Ascension Day (May 1st this year) have been gearing us up for Pentecost (next Sunday). I’ve always felt a certain sympathy for the Apostles during this period; their great teacher and leader, returned from death … Continue reading →

All this past week, the Gospel readings in the Daily Office lectionary have followed Jesus’ soliloquy in Matthew 6 through 7:21, all of which is a continuation of the “Sermon on the Mount” which began in Chapter 5. It is … Continue reading →

Today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 5:38-48, contains the pacifist manifesto of turning the other cheek, perhaps one of the most difficult of Jesus’ teaching to put into practice. I struggle with this teaching. In theory, it does not seem so hard: … Continue reading →

The Gospel reading for today, Matthew 5:17-20, is a difficult passage for me. I’m going to quote it in full because there’s a lot to consider here: Jesus continued, “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and … Continue reading →

My political orientation is complex. If you have to place a label on it, I’m a fiscal conservative with libertarian/liberal social leanings. I’m deeply suspicious of government interference in the economic and social lives of individuals and buy into the … Continue reading →

The gospel reading for today is Mark 6:30-44, which recounts the well-known miracle of the loaves and fish. In the story, the apostles have just returned from being off on their own preaching about Christ, healing the sick and other … Continue reading →

The readings for today are: Exodus 25:1-22, Colossians 3:1-17 and Matthew 4:18-25. Daily Office readings do not always tie together thematically, but today’s are one of the exceptions. In this case all three speak about the duties and obligations of … Continue reading →