Sunday School; A Pillar Bible Study

It’s the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they talk about the cyclical nature of the Old Testament, and parenting imagery in this week’s readings from Isaiah and Hebrews.Then, Jesus responds to the question “Who will be saved?” in the Gospel of Luke.This episode of Sunday School is sponsored by FOCUS Retreats, empowering parishes and leaders to offer deeply Catholic, low-lift retreats that ignite discipleship, transform lives, and multiply the mission of Jesus Christ in the modern world.To learn more, visit focus.org/retreats/ to schedule a 30-minute call with the retreats team at FOCUS.-Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:50Reading 1 - Isaiah 66: 18-21Psalm 117: 1, 2 & Mk 16:15Reading 2 - Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13Gospel - Luke 13:22-30 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they explore the context for the book of Jeremiah, and talk about why exactly Jesus comes "to set the earth on fire."This episode of Sunday School was brought to you by the St. Paul Center.Priests, grow your love for Christ and for your ministry through study, faith and fellowship at a St. Paul Center Priest Conference.To learn more, visit stpaulcenter.com/priests-Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 18:00Reading 1 - Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10Psalm 40: 2-4, 18Reading 2 - Hebrews 12:1-4Gospel - Luke 12:49-53To learn more about the social and political context around the time of Jesus, Scott recommends Jesus and the Victory of God by N.T. Wright.To learn more about the mindset of Jews in the time of Jesus, Scott recommends the Oxford Annotated Mishnah, The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg, and Eerdman’s Dictionary of Early Judaism. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and our readings are filled with little riddles. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they talk about what it means that the Passover was “known beforehand to our fathers.” Then, Scott gives the context of the Letter to the Hebrews and suggests Jesus’ Gospel parable about the master returning home at an unknown hour should evoke feelings of excitement rather than anxiety.-This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by the St. Paul Center. Priests, grow your love for Christ and for your ministry through study, faith and fellowship at a St. Paul Center Priest Conference.Learn more at stpaulcenter.com/priests-A Catholic Introduction to the Bible by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre-Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:07Reading 1 - Wisdom 18:6-9Psalm 33: 1, 12, 18-22Reading 2 - Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19Gospel - Luke 12:32-48 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and we’re back in Wisdom literature for our first reading. Dr. Scott Powell explores the meaning of the Hebrew word ‘hevel,' which most modern English-language bibles translate as ‘vanity.’Then, Scott unpacks St. Paul’s challenge of Ecclesiastes in his letter to the Colossians, and Jesus’ parable in response to a man demanding justice in the distribution of his inheritance.Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:06.Reading 1 - Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23Psalm 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17Reading 2 - Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11Gospel - Luke 12:13-21 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

This episode contains discussion of sexual violence and may not be suitable for children.Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they unpack the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and discuss how it could be connected to this week’s other readings from the Psalms and Colossians. Then, Scott makes the argument the Our Father is all about the Exodus. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:17.Reading 1 - Genesis 18:20-32Psalm 138: 1-3, 6-8Reading 2 - Colossians 2:12-14Gospel - Luke 11:1-13 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they explore the temptation to make idols in the Old Testament, and the connection between Old Testament blessings and curses and the corporal works of mercy Catholics practice today. Then, Scott provides some context for the well-known Gospel story of Martha and Mary.You can find Scott’s book here: Walking with Christ: A Journey Through the Gospel of LukeAlready read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:11.Reading 1 - Genesis 18:1-10aPsalm 15: 2-5Reading 2 - Colossians 1:24-28Gospel - Luke 10:38-42 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they wrestle with the paradox of the Mosaic law and the parable of the Good Samaritan.Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:06.Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 30: 10-14Psalm 69: 14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37Reading 2 - Colossians 1: 15-20Gospel - Luke 10: 25-37 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they talk about the purpose of ordinary time, why God allows bad things to happen, and Jesus’ appointment of 72 to go ahead of him on the way to Jerusalem. Check out Scott’s book here: Walking with Christ: A Journey Through the Gospel of LukeAlready read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:00.Reading 1 - Isaiah 66:10-14cPsalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20Reading 2 - Galatians 6:14-18Gospel - Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera to talk about St. Peter’s exodus from prison on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, St. Paul’s final letter, and Jesus’ giving the keys of the kingdom to St. Peter. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:52.Reading 1 - Acts 12: 1-11Psalm 34: 2-9Reading 2 - 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18Gospel - Matthew 16: 13-19 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s time to celebrate Corpus Christi! Join Dr. Scott Powell, Kate Olivera, and JD Flynn as they explore the identity of the mysterious Melchizedek, and the connection between the priesthood and the feeding of the 5,000 in the Gospel.Reading 1 - Genesis 14: 18-20Psalm 110: 1-4Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26Gospel - Luke 9: 11b-17 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s Trinity Sunday! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they wrestle with chokmah, St. Paul’s Christological reshaping of chokmah in his letter to the Romans, and Jesus’ farewell discourse at the Last Supper.Reading 1 - Proverbs 8:22-31Psalm 8: 2a, 4-9Reading 2 - Romans 5:1-5Gospel - John 16:12-15Interested in advertising on Sunday School? Email Michelle at mlarosa@pillarcatholic.com-A history of Catholic slaps, punches, and all-out brawls This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

Come, Holy Spirit! It’s Pentecost Sunday, and Dr. Scott Powell is here to share some of the biblical language that gives context to these readings. Reading 1 - Acts 2:1-11Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-31, 34Reading 2 - Romans 8: 8-17Gospel - John 20:19-23-This episode of Sunday School was brought to you by Amazing Parish.Amazing Parish coaches hundreds of Catholic pastors across the United States each year— to reinvigorate and transform their vocations and their parishes.Learn more today at amazingparish.org-If you’re interested in advertising on Sunday School, reach out to Michelle at mlarosa@pillarcatholic.com-God's Grandeur by Gerard Manley Hopkins This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

This Sunday— in most dioceses— we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. Dr. Scott Powell explains why the Ascension is actually the pinnacle of the Easter season and the connection between these readings and the often misunderstood parable of the ten virgins.Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:50Reading 1 - Acts 1: 1-11Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9Reading 2 - Ephesians 1:17-23Gospel - Luke 24: 46-53-This episode of Sunday School was brought to you by Amazing Parish.Amazing Parish coaches hundreds of Catholic pastors across the United States each year— to reinvigorate and transform their vocations and their parishes.Learn more today at amazingparish.org This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

In these readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we hear about the Council of Jerusalem and Jesus’ last discourse to his apostles.Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 8:35Reading 1 - Acts 15 :1-2, 22-29Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8Reading 2 - Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23Gospel - John 14:23-29 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

It’s the Fifth Sunday of Easter! Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they talk about a chiasm in Acts of the Apostles and reflect on the betrayal of Judas.Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:25Reading 1 - Acts 14:21-27Psalm 145: 1, 8-13Reading 2 - Revelation 21:1-5aGospel - John 13:31-33a, 34-35This episode of Sunday School was brought to you by Amazing Parish. Amazing Parish coaches hundreds of Catholic pastors across the U.S each year— to reinvigorate and transform their vocations and their parishes. Learn more by visiting amazingparish.org This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe