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
Mt 24.37-44 Nov 30-25 "Being Spiritually Alert: Reading the Room in Life and Faith"
I recognize that staying alert can be exhausting at times and there may be times when taking a break would be appropriate. I highly recommend developing skills to reflect on our lives when we might not have been as alert as we needed to be. Retreats, Devotions such as the Daily Examination of conscience, a prayerful reflection developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola may be helpful. Other examples are spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina which is a meditative reading and contemplation of Scripture that draws attention to God's word through slow, reflective reading and prayerful response. These spiritual exercises help us compensate when we are not alert and need extra help to focus. Developing a reflective stance is worth the cost. Finding time and space in your life will not be easy for some.
Hello, and welcome to “A Psychologist Looks at Scripture.” I am Peter Doherty, a Catholic priest and psychologist, and I am delighted you are here.
In this podcast, I combine my experience in psychology and scripture studies to offer fresh perspectives on the Gospels. These sacred texts even though written two thousand years ago continually invite us to deepen our faith, gain new insights, and grow spiritually. Together, there is always more to learn.
Each episode is 7 to 10 minutes long, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule while still offering meaningful reflections. If you're interested and have the time, feel free to check out previous episodes on the podcast website or on YouTube.
Thank you sincerely for joining me on this journey. Your support inspires me to keep producing these episodes. I would like to call out my listners in Singapore, thank you for your interest. Please do not hesitate to send your questions and comments—they truly matter and help this podcast thrive.
Todays Gospel from Matthew 24:37-44 will be read in churches on November 30, 2025
The Gospel for the first Sunday of Advent begins rather cryptically. Jesus talks about people who were unsuspecting and thus not prepared for the future. Jesus talks about the Flood, a story from Genesis to point out that the people were not expecting the calamity. I am not sure how its relevant, but the flood story speaks of a new covenant between God and His people. The point Jesus is making is that the people were not prepared for the events that would soon be upon them. Jesus is not threatening them but rather gently pointing out that major changes can happen in a person’s life without the person expecting them. The good news is that people are not necessarily at the mercy of these events but rather they can take steps to prepare by being alert.
Some people are detailed orientated while others like myself see a bigger picture but often miss important details to help understand the bigger picture. I am trying to train myself to keep my eyes open for the details, those that often hold the key to solving problems and create a path for solving the issue. I admire people who have an eye out for the details.
Oliver Savill, the Director and founder of Test Partnership, a psychometric testing company has written extensively on attention to detail as a personality trait under conscientiousness. Attention to detail is significant because it directly impacts the accuracy, quality, and overall success in dealing with life issues. The ability to observe, appreciate, and grasp even the smallest aspects of a situation with precision and mindfulness increases clarity and accurate results, fosters trust, and enhances efficiency by allowing early identification and resolution of potential problems. Attention to detail improves problem-solving and decision-making, supports effective communication, and contributes to a strong professional reputation. Overall, attention to detail is a basic skill that influences productivity, quality, trustworthiness, and leads to personal growth.
The Gospel and other parts of the Bible do contain teachings that value and illustrate attention to detail. In Matthew 10:30 and again in Luke 12:7, Jesus states that "the hairs of your head are all numbered," showing in a symbolic way God's intimate knowledge and care for even the smallest details of our lives, which implies the value of careful attention to detail in how God regards us.
One of the obstacles for the development of our spirituality is procrastination. I invite you to check out the podcast edition published on July 27, 2025. People often put off tasks thinking they will do them at another time. The problem is we do not know for sure when our time on this planet is finished before it is too late. Also, by delaying responses or not dealing with issues we risk losing the benefits of having addressed a problem early and the potential for growth attached to a given situation.
The gospel message is clear as it highlights the importance of staying alert and paying attention to what is going on around us. Life may seem simpler if we do not pay attention to what is going on around us but there is a cost. The problem is we may miss subtle cues from the Spirit that can help guide our lives.
I recognize that staying alert can be exhausting at times and there may be times when taking a break would be appropriate. I highly recommend developing skills to reflect on our lives when we might not have been as alert as we needed to be. Retreats, Devotions such as the Daily Examination of conscience, a prayerful reflection developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola may be helpful. Other examples are spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina which is a meditative reading and contemplation of Scripture that draws attention to God's word through slow, reflective reading and prayerful response. These spiritual exercises help us compensate when we are not alert and need extra help to focus. Developing a reflective stance is worth the cost. Finding time and space in your life will not be easy for some.
I am going to focus on one, the Daily Examen. Find a place and time for yourself. Many people find time just before they go to bed. You may need to find an earlier time if you find yourself falling asleep although falling asleep while thinking of God is not a bad idea. The first step is to reflect on the day and give thanks. What are you grateful for? Those events don’t have to be major. Ask for God’s grace to open your mind and remove any distractions such as worry or anxiety. Pause. Next review the day, play it back as if you were watching a movie of yourself. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. If you can, imagine talking to God describing your day. Note the times when you felt distant from him, and closest to him. Were there any happy times during the day? In a spirit of gentleness ask forgiveness and healing for the times where you know you could have done better. Look ahead to the next day and ask God for help with any challenges you may face. Consider what you could do differently and ask for His guidance. Give thanks again: End by giving praise and thanks to God for the graces and insights received through the prayer. Hopefully you will get into the habit of praying this simple expercise to be alert and ready.
Thank you for joining me today.
Next Sunday, I’ll be sharing a new podcast episode on Matthew 3: 1-12, where we will hear about John the Baptist proclaiming to the people to prepare the way of the Lord. Like todays Gospel we will hear a call to change and to growth. There is no age where we stop growing spiritually.
If you are 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 love Scripture.
New episodes come out every Sunday, focusing on the 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 support in preparing each episode.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at peter.dohertyomi@gmail.com.
May God richly bless you!