Merry Christmas, everyone! In reflecting on the readings for Christmas Mass During the Day, Year C, Dr. Scott Powell talks about the importance of context in defining the word “gospel.”

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:27

Reading 1 - Is 52: 7-10

Ps 98: 1-6

Reading 2 - Heb 1:1-6

Gospel - Jn 1:1-18

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This episode has been re-published after it failed to populate podcast apps. Our apologies!

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they unpack the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C— including the Visitation and the minor prophet Micah’s warnings to a prosperous Israel.

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:50

Reading 1 - Mi 5:1-4a

Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Reading 2 - Heb 10:5-10

Gospel - Lk 1:39-45

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Shout for joy, everyone! It’s Gaudete Sunday. Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera talk about the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent. 

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 4:25

Reading 1 - Zep 3:14-18a

Is 12:2-6

Reading 2 - Phil 4:4-7

Gospel - Lk 3:10-18

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This week, Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera talk about the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C— more bright moments in the midst of darkness. 

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:10. 

Reading I - Bar 5:1-9

Psalm - Ps 126: 1-6

Reading II - Phil 1: 4-6, 8-11

Gospel - Lk 3: 1-6

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It’s the start of a new season of Sunday School— and a new liturgical year! But the readings this week are not exactly celebrating.

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they talk about the readings we will hear at Mass for the First Sunday of Advent.

Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 3:30

Reading 1 - Jer 33:14-16

Psalm - Ps 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

Reading 2 - 1 Thes 3:12—4:2

Gospel - Lk 21: 25-28, 34-36

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Sunday School is back in session! This podcast will feature the same great teaching from biblical scholar Dr. Scott Powell and a brand new weekly format focused on the readings we will hear at Sunday Mass.

Watch for our first episode on Wednesday, all about the First Sunday of Advent, Year C.

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Sunday School is free for now, but soon it will be available only to The Pillar’s paying subscribers.

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In Chapter 13, we find what Scott characterizes as one of America’s great “prop Bible verses.” St. Paul talks about respecting authority, and emphasizes that God is in control. 

Nostra aetate

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St. Paul attempts to define Israel and address the issue of those in the Jewish community who have not accepted the Messiah. Scott warns that these chapters of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans have been at the root of antisemitism. 

The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

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We’re opening the comments for each episode of this season of Sunday School.

Please, share with us any questions you may have about St. Paul and his letter to the Romans. We’ll bring a few of your questions to Scott in the final episode of this season.

If you have a question you would rather not share publicly, please email our producer Kate Olivera at [email protected]

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Scott continues to address JD’s questions about Romans 5:20— and the relationship between law and sin. 

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In these chapters, St. Paul continues to build his argument about God’s faithfulness, using the stories of Abraham and the Exodus. He presents Abraham as a shared father in faith— to both Jewish Christians and the Gentiles. St. Paul also writes that Jesus Christ restores our proper relationship with God, ourselves, our neighbor and creation.

JD wrestles with Romans 5:20, and St. Paul’s reflection on the relationship between law and sin.

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Venerable Pierre Toussaint

Camp Wojtyla

An Environmental Ethic for the End of the World: An Ecological Midrash on Romans 8:19-22

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