<![CDATA[The Pillar: Sunday School]]>

<![CDATA[The Pillar: Sunday School]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/s/sunday-schoolhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ktjI!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe1d84de5-dbcf-4987-8cad-e8e485283932_300x300.pngThe Pillar: Sunday Schoolhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/s/sunday-schoolSubstackMon, 26 Oct 2026 22:20:23 GMT<![CDATA[The greatest commandment]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-greatest-commandmenthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-greatest-commandmentTue, 20 Oct 2026 12:03:58 GMTDr. Scott Powell and JD Flynn look ahead to the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, including St. Paul’s encouragement of the persecuted Church in Thessaloniki and Jesus answers a question about the greatest commandment.

This episode is brought to you by the St. Timothy Fellows, an initiative from FOCUS that helps priests and deacons build a culture of missionary discipleship through fraternity, formation, and real-time application in parish life.

To learn more, visit focus.org/st-timothy-fellows

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:00.

Reading 1 - Exodus 22: 20-26

Psalm 18: 2-4, 47, 51

Reading 2 - 1 Thessalonians 1: 5c-10

Gospel - Matthew 22: 34-40

]]><![CDATA[Anointed pagan kings and 'Render unto Caesar']]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/anointed-pagan-kings-and-render-untohttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/anointed-pagan-kings-and-render-untoTue, 13 Oct 2026 12:04:38 GMTDr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including the Pharisees and Herodians attempt to entrap Jesus with a question about the Roman tax.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:00.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6

Psalm 96: 1, 3-5, 7-10

Reading 2 - 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5b

Gospel - Matthew 22: 15-21

]]><![CDATA[Ain’t no mountain high without a valley low]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/aint-no-mountain-high-without-a-valleyhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/aint-no-mountain-high-without-a-valleyTue, 06 Oct 2026 12:02:42 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including a psalm about a shepherd king and a confusing parable in the Gospel of Matthew.

This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, where you can earn a graduate certificate in Sacred Scripture or pursue your Master’s in Theology with the Sacred Scripture concentration.

Learn more at graduate.christendom.edu.

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:40.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 25: 6-10a

Psalm 23: 1-6

Reading 2 - Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20

Gospel - Matthew 22: 1-14

]]><![CDATA[Wicked tenants and stinky grapes]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/wicked-tenants-and-stinky-grapeshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/wicked-tenants-and-stinky-grapesTue, 29 Sep 2026 12:04:17 GMTDr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time including a prophesy about the Babylonian exile in Isaiah and Jesus’s harsh parable to the chief priests and scribes in Jerusalem.

This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by Anchor Consulting. Offering the Clear Path to Discipleship, a flexible framework for making and maturing disciples.

Go to ClearPathBook.com to book a call, and start your journey to parish renewal today.

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:10.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 5: 1-7

Psalm 80: 9, 12-16, 19-20

Reading 2 - Philippians 4: 6-9

Gospel - Matthew 21: 33-43

]]><![CDATA[Generational sin and the kenotic hymn]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/generational-sin-and-the-kenotichttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/generational-sin-and-the-kenoticTue, 22 Sep 2026 12:04:43 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including St. Paul’s kenotic hymn in his letter to the Philippians and Jesus’s parable about a vineyard owner and his two sons.

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This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by the Pillar’s exclusive breviary partner, Ascension Press, publisher of the new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:50.

Reading 1 - Ezekiel 18: 25-28

Psalm 25: 4-9

Reading 2 - Philippians 2: 1-11

Gospel - Matthew 21: 28-32

]]><![CDATA[Amazing and infuriating grace]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/amazing-and-infuriating-gracehttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/amazing-and-infuriating-graceTue, 15 Sep 2026 12:04:18 GMTDr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including an excerpt from one of Paul’s prison letters, and a parable about grace and mercy.

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth Bailey

This episode is brought to you by Anchor Consulting. Offering the Clear Path to Discipleship, a flexible framework for making and maturing disciples.

Start your journey to parish renewal today by visiting ClearPathBook.com.

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Reading 1 - Isaiah 55: 6-9

Psalm 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18

Reading 2 - Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a

Gospel - Matthew 20: 1-16a

]]><![CDATA[The poison of 'the croucher']]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-poison-of-the-croucherhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-poison-of-the-croucherTue, 08 Sep 2026 15:59:48 GMTThis week, we’re looking ahead to the readings for the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Dr. Scott Powell— including reflections on forgiveness from Sirach and Jesus’s parable about forgiveness.

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This episode is brought to you by the Benedict XVI Institute’s Reverent Liturgy Project. Offering the practical wisdom of priests who have successfully adopted classically Catholic worship practices to priests who want to embark on the same journey but need a roadmap to get started.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:45.

Reading 1 - Sirach 27: 30—28: 7

Psalm 103: 1-4, 9-12

Reading 2 - Romans 14: 7-9

Gospel - Matthew 18: 21-35

]]><![CDATA[Your brother’s watchman, and how to forgive ]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/your-brothers-watchman-and-how-tohttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/your-brothers-watchman-and-how-toTue, 01 Sep 2026 12:03:47 GMTDr. Scott Powell and JD Flynn look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time— including a parable in Ezekiel and Jesus’s framework for forgiveness.

This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by Annunicate – helping ministries, publishers, and creators launch their own fully branded app, without the pitfalls of Big Tech.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:00.

Reading 1 - Ezekiel 33: 7-9

Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-9

Reading 2 - Romans 13: 8-10

Gospel - Matthew 18: 15-20

]]><![CDATA[Duped by the Lord]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/duped-by-the-lordhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/duped-by-the-lordTue, 25 Aug 2026 12:01:23 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

In our first reading, Jeremiah cries out to God in the midst of rejection and mockery. Then, St. Paul urges Christians in Rome to become ‘living sacrifices.’ In the Gospel, Peter takes up his new role as prime minister of God’s kingdom.

This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary, a Newman Guide–recommended Catholic university in Bismarck, North Dakota, offering affordable online graduate programs designed specifically for the working Catholic professional.

Pillar subscribers are eligible for up to $10,000 in scholarships toward select programs.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:00.

Reading 1 - Jeremiah 20: 7-9

Psalm 63: 2-6, 8-9

Reading 2 - Romans 12: 1-2

Gospel - Matthew 16: 21-27

]]><![CDATA[Peter and the Son of the living God]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/peter-and-the-son-of-the-living-godhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/peter-and-the-son-of-the-living-godTue, 18 Aug 2026 12:04:35 GMTDr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, including Jesus’ treasonous and provocative words to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew.

This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, which leads the nation in the number of graduate programs recommended by The Newman Guide.

Pillar paid subscribers are eligible for up to $10,000 in scholarships toward select programs.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:25.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 22: 19-23

Psalm 138: 1-3, 6, 8

Reading 2 - Romans 11: 33-36

Gospel - Matthew 16: 13-20

]]><![CDATA[A light to the nations and scraps for the dogs]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/a-light-to-the-nations-and-scrapshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/a-light-to-the-nations-and-scrapsTue, 11 Aug 2026 12:00:40 GMTDr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, in which Isaiah presents an eschatological vision and Jesus takes his ministry outside of Jewish territory.

This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by Five Stones. Offering critical services for Catholic apostolates – including marketing, order fulfilment, technology, and customer service.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 9:05.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7

Psalm 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8

Reading 2 - Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32

Gospel - Matthew 15: 21-28

]]><![CDATA[The interior life of Elijah and the grief of St. Paul ]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-interior-life-of-elijah-and-thehttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-interior-life-of-elijah-and-theTue, 04 Aug 2026 12:02:35 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including Elijah’s encounter with God on Mount Horeb and Matthew’s account of Jesus walking on water.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:10.

Reading 1 - 1 Kings 19: 9a, 11-13a

Psalm 85: 9-14

Reading 2 - Romans 9: 1-5

Gospel - Matthew 14: 22-33

]]><![CDATA[Bounty out of suffering, and the feeding of the 5,000]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bounty-out-of-suffering-and-the-feedinghttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bounty-out-of-suffering-and-the-feedingTue, 28 Jul 2026 12:03:17 GMTDr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look back over the readings from the last several weeks to provide a framework for the readings we will hear on the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by SDS Accent Services, supporting priests and seminarians with accent services and vocal improvement, to help them convey the deposit of faith and administer the sacraments to those entrusted to their spiritual care.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:00.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 55: 1-3

Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-16, 17-18

Reading 2 - Romans 8: 35, 37-39

Gospel - Matthew 14: 13-21

]]><![CDATA[The wisdom of Solomon and the purpose of parables]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-wisdom-of-solomon-and-the-purposehttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-wisdom-of-solomon-and-the-purposeTue, 21 Jul 2026 12:04:33 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including the complicated figure of King Solomon and more parables about the kingdom of heaven in the Gospel of Matthew.

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This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by the Pillar’s exclusive breviary sponsor, Ascension Press, publisher of the new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:45.

Reading 1 - 1 Kings 3: 5, 7-12

Psalm 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-130

Reading 2 - Romans 8: 28-30

Gospel - Matthew 13: 44-52

]]><![CDATA[The weeds, the wheat, and the patient king]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-weeds-the-wheat-and-the-patienthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-weeds-the-wheat-and-the-patientTue, 14 Jul 2026 12:01:47 GMTDr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including a reading from Wisdom and Jesus’ telling of several subversive parables about the kingdom of God.

This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by the Pillar’s exclusive breviary sponsor, Ascension Press, publisher of the new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Preorder now at AscensionPress.com/SundaySchool

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:40.

Reading 1 - Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19

Psalm 86: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16

Reading 2 - Romans 8: 26-27

Gospel - Matthew 13: 24-43

]]><![CDATA[A promised abundance and Jesus goes dark]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/a-promised-abundance-and-jesus-goeshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/a-promised-abundance-and-jesus-goesTue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:29 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including an eschatological prophecy in Isaiah where God welcomes Israel home with a banquet, the theological climax of St. Paul’s letter to the Roman’s. In Matthew, Jesus begins to speak in parables.

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:20.

Reading 1 - Isaiah 55: 10-11

Psalm 65: 10-14

Reading 2 - Romans 8: 18-23

Gospel - Matthew 13: 1-23

]]><![CDATA[A restless people, a prophetic voice, and a kingdom of peace]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/a-restless-people-a-prophetic-voicehttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/a-restless-people-a-prophetic-voiceTue, 30 Jun 2026 12:02:30 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including an eschatological vision in Zechariah and Jesus’ word of warning to Jewish Zealots.

This episode is brought to you by Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, where you can earn a graduate certificate in Sacred Scripture or pursue your Master’s in Theology with the Sacred Scripture concentration.

Learn more at graduate.christendom.edu

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:05.

Reading 1 - Zechariah 9:9-10

Psalm 145: 1-2, 8-11, 13-14

Reading 2 - Romans 8: 9, 11-13

Gospel - Matthew 11: 25-30

]]><![CDATA[Firstborn sons and unexpected promises]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/firstborn-sons-and-unexpected-promiseshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/firstborn-sons-and-unexpected-promisesTue, 23 Jun 2026 12:03:03 GMTDr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including Elisha’s promise to a benefactor and Jesus’ first mention of the cross in the Gospel of Matthew.

This episode is sponsored by the 2026 Amazing Parish Leadership Summit.

This August, join leaders like you from across the Church for three days of inspiration, encouragement and equipping.

Learn more at amazingparish.org/pillar

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:30.

Reading 1 - 2 Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16a

Psalm 89: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19

Reading 2 - Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11

Gospel - Matthew 10: 37-42

]]><![CDATA[The weeping prophet and the door keeper ]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-weeping-prophet-and-the-doorhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-weeping-prophet-and-the-doorTue, 16 Jun 2026 18:17:11 GMTJoin Dr. Scott Powell and JD Flynn as they look ahead to the readings for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including Jeremiah’s lament in the face of persecution, a psalm of lament from David, and Jesus’ sending of the Apostles in the Gospel of Matthew.

This episode is brought to you by the 2026 Amazing Parish Leadership Summit.

This August, join leaders like you from across the Church for three days of inspiration, encouragement and equipping.

Learn more at amazingparish.org/pillar

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:25.

Reading 1 - Jeremiah 20: 10-13

Psalm 69: 8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

Reading 2 - Romans 5: 12-15

Gospel - Matthew 10: 26-33

]]><![CDATA[Kings, queens, and mighty deeds]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/kings-queens-and-mighty-deedshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/kings-queens-and-mighty-deedsTue, 09 Jun 2026 12:03:08 GMTDr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time— including God’s efforts to build Israel into a nation and St. Paul’s call for Christians in Rome to remember their royal identity.

You can find the first episode of Sunday School’s season about Romans here: An introduction to Romans.

This episode is sponsored by the 2026 Amazing Parish Leadership Summit.

This August, leaders like you from across the Church will gather for three incredible days.

Learn more at amazingparish.org/pillar

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:20.

Reading 1 - Exodus 19: 2-6a

Psalm 100: 1-2, 3, 5

Reading 2 - Romans 5: 6-11

Gospel - Matthew 9: 36—10:8

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