Sunday School; A Pillar Bible Study - The Pillar Podcast

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Jeremiah and the cistern, and suffering for the sake of joy Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

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 18:00

Reading 1 - Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

Psalm 40: 2-4, 18

Reading 2 - Hebrews 12:1-4

Gospel - Luke 12:49-53

To 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

A knowable mystery, and undercover boss Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

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 7:07

Reading 1 - Wisdom 18:6-9

Psalm 33: 1, 12, 18-22

Reading 2 - Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Gospel - 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

Vanity of vanities— and can a faithful Christian also be wealthy? Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

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; 2:21-23

Psalm 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17

Reading 2 - Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

Gospel - 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

Sodom and Gomorrah— and who is God? Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

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 18:20-32

Psalm 138: 1-3, 6-8

Reading 2 - Colossians 2:12-14

Gospel - 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

Martha and Mary, and a terebinth is an oak Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

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 Luke

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:11.

Reading 1 - Genesis 18:1-10a

Psalm 15: 2-5

Reading 2 - Colossians 1:24-28

Gospel - 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

You’ve Got Tablets, the Good Samaritan, and the law Jul 09, 2025

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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: 10-14

Psalm 69: 14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

Reading 2 - Colossians 1: 15-20

Gospel - 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

Labor pains, and heaven is a place on earth Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

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 Luke

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:00.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 66:10-14c

Psalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20

Reading 2 - Galatians 6:14-18

Gospel - 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

Peter's Passover, and Paul's final letter Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

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: 1-11

Psalm 34: 2-9

Reading 2 - 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18

Gospel - 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

The mysterious Melchizedek, and the feeding of the 5,000 Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

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: 18-20

Psalm 110: 1-4

Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

Gospel - 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

Chokmah and a liturgical slapdown Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

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 8:22-31

Psalm 8: 2a, 4-9

Reading 2 - Romans 5:1-5

Gospel - John 16:12-15

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A history of Catholic slaps, punches, and all-out brawls

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