Sunday School; A Pillar Bible Study

Join 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...

Join 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 th...

Dr. 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...

Join 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 thr...

Dr. 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 Paris...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for Corpus Christi— including Moses’ final words to a new generation preparing to enter the Promised Land and the famous Bread of Life Discourse in the Gospel of John. This episode is sponsored by the Benedict XVI Institute’s Reverent Liturgy Project. Offering the practical wisdom of priests who have successfully adopted class...

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for Trinity Sunday— including fundamental statements about God’s identity in Exodus and the Gospel of John, and the song of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in Daniel. This episode is sponsored by the Benedict XVI Institute’s Reverent Liturgy Project. Offering the practical wisdom of priests who have successfully ad...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for Pentecost. Scott unpacks the description of Pentecost in Acts and explores what is likely meant by “tongues of fire.” This episode is brought to you by the 2026 Amazing Parish Leadership Summit. This August, leaders like you from across the Church will gather for three days of inspiration, encouragement and equipping. Lear...

This episode is available early to accommodate dioceses that observe the Ascension on Thursday instead of Sunday. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Ascension— including a liturgical psalm that is key to understanding the Ascension, and the Jewish paradigm at play in Jesus’ final words to the Apostles in the Gospel of Matthew. This episode...

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter— including Philip’s evangelization in Samaria, and Jesus’ words about the Paraclete in the Gospel of John. This episode is sponsored by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology. This summer, consider spending four weeks immersed in rev...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter— including the ordination of the first deacons and St. Peter’s reflection on ‘living stones.’ This week’s episode is brought to you by Catholic International University. Supporting Catholic priests through online MA and Graduate Certificate programs in Ecclesial Administration & Management. Learn...

Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for Good Shepherd Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. This episode of Sunday School is brought to you by The Secret of the Goldfish, a warm, faith-filled middle-grade mystery for curious Catholic kids, coming to you from Our Sunday Visitor. To learn more, visit GloriaBook.com/SundaySchool - Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 8:40...

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter— including the Gospel account of Jesus appearing on the road to Emmaus on Easter Sunday. This episode is brought to you by Five Stones, offering critical services for Catholic apostolates – including marketing, order fulfilment, technology, and customer service. Learn more at weare5s...

Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Second Sunday of Easter, including St. Peter’s letter to the “chosen exiles” and the story of ‘Doubting Thomas.’ This episode is brought to you by Catholic International University, supporting Catholic priests through online MA and Graduate Certificate programs in Ecclesial Administration & Management. Learn more at catholiciu.ed...

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera for a Pardon the Interruption -style Easter Vigil episode of Sunday School. Are you planning to preach or attend Mass of Easter Day? You can find our episode about those readings here: Sunday School - Mass of Easter Day Already read the readings? Skip ahead to the time in bold after each reading. Reading I - Genesis 1:1—2:2 (8:35) Reading II - Gene...

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for Palm Sunday— including the Kenotic Hymn, and Matthew’s account of the Passion. This episode is brought to you by Catholic International University, supporting Catholic priests through online MA and Graduate Certificate programs in Ecclesial Administration & Management. Learn more at catholiciu.edu/pillar Alrea...

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the Fifth Sunday of Lent— including a prophecy of hope in Ezekiel and Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead. This episode is brought to you by the 2026 Amazing Parish Leadership Summit, Aug. 3-5 in Houston, TX. The 2026 Amazing Parish Leadership Summit will inspire and equip you to lead renewal in the part of the Church entr...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent— including Samuel’s secret anointing of David, an excerpt of what could be an encyclical by St. Paul, and Jesus’ healing of a man born blind. This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology. This summer, consider spending...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent— including the Israelites grumbling because of thirst, and John’s account of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well. This episode is brought to you by Catholic International University. Supporting Catholic priests through online MA and Graduate Certificate programs in Ecclesial Administratio...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Second Sunday of Lent— including God’s calling of Abram, St. Paul’s last letter before his martyrdom, and Matthew’s telling of the Transfiguration. - This week’s episode is brought to you by the paying subscribers of The Pillar. Join today at pillarcatholic.com/subscribe Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:32 Re...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the First Sunday of Lent— including the second creation story in Genesis and Jesus’ testing in the wilderness. This episode is brought to you by Catholic International University, supporting Catholic priests through online MA and Graduate Certificate programs in Ecclesial Administration and Management. Learn more at cathol...

JD Flynn and Kate Olivera talk about the readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Special appearance by Dr. Scott Powell. This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology. This summer, consider spending four weeks immersed in reverent liturgy and rigorous academics at the Institute for Liturgical Formation. To learn...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead to the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including an ill-fated Yom Kippur detailed in Isaiah and Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew about the salt of the earth. This episode is brought to you by Catholic International University, supporting Catholic priests through online MA and Graduate Certificate programs in Ecclesial Adm...

It’s Beatitude Week! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they unpack the readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time— including a reading from Zephaniah about the day of the Lord and the beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:50 Reading 1 - Zephaniah 2: 3; 3:12-13 Psalm 146: 6-10 Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31 Gospel - Matthew 5: 1-...

Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera look ahead at the readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time— including an Advent-y passage from Isaiah, St. Paul’s strong message about unity to the church in Corinth, and Jesus’ withdrawal to Galilee. This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College’s Graduate School of Theology. This summer, consider...