A Psychologist looks at Scripture
In this 8-10 minute podcast, I as a psychologist and a priest use my training and skills to examine the Gospels. I will present alternative interpretations and insights into the meaning of Scripture for men and women in the 21st century.
I can be reached at peter.dohertyomi@gmail.com.
A Psychologist looks at Scripture
Luke 7,11-17 Nov 2 – 25 "Life Restored: The Widow’s Son and the Jesus Miracle"
There are three stories in the Gospels where Jesus raises someone from the dead. We have the story of Lazarus being raised (John 11:38-44), Jarius’ 12-year-old daughter being raised as recorded in (Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40 and Matthew 9:18-26) and now in today’s Gospel we hear about Jesus raising the son of a widow in a town called Nain. What is interesting in this Gospel is how few facts we have about the story. In the two previous resurrection stories we have names, and we are made aware of some background information, and we are provided teachings but not here. It’s clear that this resurrection was not planned. If Jesus had arrived an hour earlier or the funeral was an hour later there would have been no miracle.
What does this mean?
C 31 OT Lk 7,11-17 Nov 2 – 25 R
"Life Restored: The Widow’s Son and the Jesus Miracle"
Hello, and thank you for joining me on “A Psychologist Looks at Scripture.” I am Peter Doherty—a Catholic priest and psychologist—and I am pleased you can join me.
In this podcast, I draw from my background in psychology and scripture studies to provide fresh insights into the Gospels. The Gospels consistently invite us to deepen our faith, find new wisdom, and grow spiritually. There is always something more to discover together. I also try to apply the Gospel values and teachings to address contemporary issues in todays society.
Each episode runs about 7 to 10 minutes. I know you are busy, so I keep my podcasts short. But if you have time and are interested, please check out the earlier episodes listed on the podcast website and on YouTube. I would like to thank all my listeners. Thank you so much for being part of this journey! Your support energizes me to keep podcasting. Please let me know if you have questions and comments, they truly matter—they help this podcast grow and flourish.
The Gospel today from Luke 7:11-17 is about Jesus raising a young man from the dead. This Gospel will be read in churches on November 2, 2025.
There are three stories in the Gospels where Jesus raises someone from the dead. We have the story of Lazarus being raised (John 11:38-44), Jarius’ 12-year-old daughter being raised as recorded in (Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40 and Matthew 9:18-26) and now in today’s Gospel we hear about Jesus raising the son of a widow in a town called Nain. What is interesting in this Gospel is how few facts we have about the story. In the two previous resurrection stories we have names, and we are made aware of some background information, and we are provided teachings but not here. It’s clear that this resurrection was not planned. If Jesus had arrived an hour earlier or the funeral was an hour later there would have been no miracle.
We can reasonably put some of this account into perspective. The widowed mother was in a serious situation. First of all, losing a child would have been awful. My heart goes out to parents who have to bury a child at any age. Secondly, this was her son, her ONLY son. 2000 years ago, women gained their social status either through their husband or the male heir of the family. She had lost both. Her social prospects would have been bleak. There is no teaching and performing this miracle in a large crowd would have implications for Jesus, specifically, his ability to move around without drawing curiosity seekers.
There is no teaching or follow up, we have no idea what happened next. But I wonder if the lack of detail is itself a detail. It seems to me that this was an example of the raw compassion Jesus had for this woman. I remember my own mother telling me when I was a boy that Jesus likely thought of his own mother who would soon be in that exact same position. I have no way of knowing for sure, but it makes sense that Jesus simply felt compassion for the woman. I also don’t know why Jesus responded in this situation and not others. I am sure there were many widows in Palestine when Jesus was ministering there.
To my listeners who may have experienced a major loss and are now wondering why Jesus was compassionate in one situation and not in their situation, I must say that I don’t have a complete answer for you, but I would like to share some reflections with you that I hope will bring some peace to you. I urge you to listen, if you haven’t already, to my podcast released on October 12, two weeks ago where I speak about waiting for God to act.
There are different perspectives to life events. What we may see as failures can also be a source of life-giving lessons. Loss can be freeing; painful endings can lead to new and exciting beginnings. Let me hasten to say that I am not undermining the pain of your loss, its real, but rather inviting you to see your loss from different perspectives. You may find healing as you explore and consider those different perspectives.
I remember leaving a teaching position that I had held for 23 years. I felt very comfortable in that job. Looking back now, I think I was plateauing, going through the motions and no longer growing. The work environment had become quite toxic, so I decided to leave. I quickly learned that I had given up a lot but there was no going back. In retrospect, I realize that while I experienced several unexpected losses, I also gained many different and challenging experiences in my new jobs. My life is radically different.
Reflect on the lessons you are invited to learn. Wisdom develops from our personal sense of loss and the loses experienced by those close to us.
Reflect on the blessings you have received in the past. Recognizing the Spirit’s presence in your life in the past might ease the pain you are experiencing, give meaning to your struggles and remind you that you are not alone.
Resist becoming bitter as bitterness shuts down the learning and healing process and, in many cases, hardens the heart of the person.
It’s okay to feel anger at God for your loss. I am confident God can handle it. Anger is the second stage of loss according to the well-known researcher, Elisabeth Kubler Ross who studied losses, specifically death and dying. There are many other theories addressing loss, however I have found her theory quite helpful. It’s important though to remember that stages of loss can vary with every individual.
Loss often reveals what truly matters to us, leading to a heightened awareness of life’s fragility and beauty. People frequently report valuing relationships, moments, and experiences more intensely after a significant loss, as the absence of something once taken for granted illuminates its worth. This shift encourages us to live more mindfully and cherishing the present. When experiencing loss, I encourage you to allow your faith to be a support for you.
Thank you for joining me today.
Next Sunday, I’ll be sharing a new podcast episode on John 2:13-22, where we will read about Jesus speaking his truth to power.
If you’re new here, I invite you to check out previous episodes on major podcast platforms or YouTube. And for my regular YouTube listeners, please consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with friends who are interested in Scripture and the behavioral sciences.
New episodes are released every Sunday, focusing on the upcoming week’s Gospel. Your feedback is always valued and helps our community grow.
A big thank you to Heather Patel Doherty and Richard Coulombe for their wonderful help in preparing each episode.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at peter.dohertyomi@gmail.com.
May God bless you on your journey of life.