It’s the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time! This week, Moses holds up his staff to secure victory in battle against the Amalekites. Then, St. Paul writes to Timothy about good governance and Jesus tells the parable of the arrogant judge.

This episode of Sunday School is sponsored by SEEK 2026. Invite your parish to experience encounter, community, and transformation at SEEK 2026—January 1–5 in Columbus, OH • Fort Worth, TX • Denver, CO.

To learn more, visit seek.focus.org

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Bound for Freedom: The Book of Exodus in Jewish and Christian Traditions by Göran Larsson

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:48.

Reading 1 - Exodus 17:8-13

Psalm 121: 1-8

Reading 2 - 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Gospel - Luke 18:1-8

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 Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell and JD Flynn as they talk about the healing of Naaman, St. Paul’s final letter, and a Samaritan’s confession of faith in Jesus, the high priest.

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:45

Reading 1 - 2 Kings 5:14-17

Psalm 98: 1-4

Reading 2 - 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Gospel - Luke 17:11-19

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 the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they talk about this week’s readings— including God’s answer to Habakkuk’s question about pending suffering, St. Paul’s last letter, and Jesus’ words about the power of faith the size of a mustard seed.

This episode of Sunday School is sponsored by Mission Ignite at The Mark 5:19 Project.

We exist to foster thriving, apostolic parishes. Mission Ignite walks with your parish for 10 months to create a culture of evangelization and make Jesus’ name known and loved in your community.

Find out more at mark519project.org/pillar

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:37

Reading 1 - Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2:2-4

Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-9

Reading 2 - 2 Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14

Gospel - Luke 17: 5-10

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 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they talk more about the minor prophet Amos’ warnings to the northern kingdom, an Allelujah psalm and St. Paul’s pastoral letter to Timothy.

Then, Scott unpacks the Gospel parable about Lazarus and the rich man.

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This episode of Sunday School is sponsored by FOCUS Retreats, offering 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 and schedule a quick call with the FOCUS Retreats team.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:20.

Reading 1 - Amos 6: 1a, 4-7

Psalm 146: 7-10

Praise the Lord, my soul! (1b)

Reading 2 - 1 Timothy 6: 11-16

Gospel - Luke 16: 19-31

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The Bible Timeline, by Ascension Press

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 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they talk about the minor prophet Amos, the Egyptian Hallel, and one of St. Paul’s pastoral letters. Then, Scott gives a helpful framework for approaching the confusing parable of the shrewd scoundrel.

This episode of Sunday School is sponsored by the St. Paul Center. Priests, grow in your love for Christ and for your ministry through study, faith, and fellowship at a St. Paul Center Priest Conference.

To learn more— or register to attend a St. Paul Center Priest Conference in 2026— visit stpaulcenter.com/priests

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to

Reading 1 - Amos 8:4-7

Psalm 113: 1-2, 4-6, 7-8

Reading 2 - 1 Timothy 2: 1-8

Gospel - Luke 16: 1-13

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

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 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Join Dr. Scott Powell and Kate Olivera as they talk about how the Book of Numbers got its name, the importance of memory, and the kenotic hymn in Philippians. Then, Nicodemus has a dialogue with Jesus in the Gospel of John.

This episode of Sunday School is sponsored by SEEK. Invite your parish to experience encounter, community, and transformation at SEEK 2026 January 1-5 in Columbus, OH; Fort Worth, TX; and Denver, CO.

Learn more at seek.focus.org

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:15

Reading 1 - Numbers 21:4b-9

Psalm 78: 1bc-2, 34-38

Reading 2 - Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel - John 3:13-17

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 the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they talk about one of the greatest stories in the Bible. But first, we’ll hear from the Book of Wisdom and a rare psalm attributed to Moses. Then, in the Gospel of Luke Jesus shares two confusing mini-parables.

This episode of Sunday School is sponsored by the St. Paul Biblical 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

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:25

Reading 1 - Wisdom 9: 13-18b

Psalm 90, 1, 3-6, 12-14, 17

Reading 2 - Philemon 9-10, 12-17

Gospel - Luke 14: 25-33

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 Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time! Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they talk about Sirach and its place within Wisdom literature. Then, they talk about a call to humility in Hebrews and a Gospel parable about guests and seats of honor.

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 quick call with the retreats team at FOCUS.

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:30

Reading 1 - Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

Psalm 68: 4-7, 10-11

Reading 2 - Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24a

Gospel - Luke 14: 1, 7-14

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 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.

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Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 7:50

Reading 1 - Isaiah 66: 18-21

Psalm 117: 1, 2 & Mk 16:15

Reading 2 - Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13

Gospel - 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

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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