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
A Adv 3 Mt 11:2-11 Dec 14-25 Voices in the Wilderness: Guiding Spiritual Growth Together
John was the Hearld of the Messiah. His role was simple, increase the awareness of the people of the coming Messiah. In the Gospel of John 3:30, John the Baptist says, "He must increase, but I must decrease," referring to Jesus Christ. This expresses John's understanding that his own role and influence were meant to diminish as Jesus' ministry and prominence grew. John’s statement reflects humility and the acknowledgment that Jesus must be exalted above all else. I am curious why Jesus had a herald, someone to prepare for him. Did Jesus need someone to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. The people had been waiting for centuries. I suspect that many prophets played an important role in supporting Jesus.
Mt 11:2-11 Dec 14-25 Voices in the Wilderness: Guiding Spiritual Growth Together
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. Even though the Gospels were written 2000 years ago I try to apply the Gospels teaching to contemporary realties we are living. The Gospels consistently invite us to deepen our faith, find new wisdom, and grow spiritually. There is always something more to discover.
Each episode runs about 7 to 10 minutes. I know you are busy, so I keep my podcasts short. If you have time and are interested, please check out the earlier episodes listed on the podcast website and on YouTube. Thank you so much for being part of this journey! Your support encourages me to keep podcasting. Please let me know if you have questions and comments, they truly matter—they help to keep this podcast relevant to my listeners.
The podcast today focusses on Matthew11: 2-11. This Gospel will be proclaimed in churches on December 14, 2025.
This Gospel focuses on John the Baptist. I spoke about him last week and encourage you to listen to that episode, as I take a unique approach. John the Baptist’s ministry was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 40:3, it is written, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” Jesus himself explicitly links John the Baptist to this prophecy. In the Gospel, Matthew 3:3, John is described as the "voice" crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the coming Messiah, Jesus. John’s role was to prepare people spiritually to receive Jesus, fulfilling Isaiah’s ancient prophecy.
John was the Hearld of the Messiah. His role was simple, increase the awareness of the people of the coming Messiah. In the Gospel of John 3:30, John the Baptist says, "He must increase, but I must decrease," referring to Jesus Christ. This expresses John's understanding that his own role and his influence were meant to diminish as Jesus' ministry and prominence grew. John’s statement reflects humility and the acknowledgment that Jesus must be exalted above all else. I am curious why Jesus had a herald, someone to prepare for him. Did Jesus need someone to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah? The people had been waiting for centuries. I suspect that many prophets played an important role in supporting Jesus and preparing the people to receive their Messiah.
Some of you may not know that I teach Ethics to a class of medical students every semester. I usually begin my lecture by asking the question why do we study ethics? Almost without exception I get a student suggesting that they don’t want to get sued. The student is trying to be funny, so I go along usually saying something like, “Yes that is true but that’s not the answer I was going for”. I usually get a wide variety of answers. I then ask them if they have been to a doctor. By this time, I am getting strange looks from students. I press on by asking them how they can trust someone they never met before with their health. I shorten my story, eventually students admit they trust their doctor because most people believe doctors are trying to help them. At this point I ask them where did this trust come from as a new doctor would not have had time to earn that trust. The point I am trying to make with the students is that they trust the doctors because the doctors have been trustworthy. I then go in for the clincher, do you think people are going to trust you when you become a doctor? Most of the medical students believe that they will be trusted. I remind the students that the trust they receive from their patients is initially unearned. They are standing on the shoulders of physicians who built the trust that my students will one day enjoy and hopefully one day pass on to the next generation of physicians.
All of us benefit from the work of others who went ahead of us. We can build where others have left off. This is true not only in ethics but in all aspects of our life. The idea of a “self made” man or woman is an illusion. I propose that ideally building our spiritualty on the work of someone who has gone before us is significant for our spiritual growth. I invite my listeners to reflect on their own spiritual journey and note the people and experiences that have shaped their spiritual lives. I invite my listeners if they haven’t already done so to listen to the podcast released on May 4, 2025, where I talk about the “shepherds amongst us”. I am proposing that we recognize the people who have gone before us who have had major impact on our lives. Conversely, to spend time acknowledging that we also have hopefully influenced someone else’s faith. We may be surprised to learn that we have played an important part in the spiritual development of others.
Let me share one more story about how we participate in others spiritual growth. When I am officiating at a wedding, I often tease the couple by telling them that they and I are in the same profession. I usually get puzzled looks, but I go on. I tell the couple and indeed the congregation that as a priest I go to great lengths to teach the people that God loves them. I use Scripture, biographies of the saints etc to support the teaching that we are loved by God. I then go for the clincher, I tell the people I can preach for hours on God’s love for us, but I can never speak as powerfully as the soon to be married couple sitting before me. The love they share for each other will teach their children about love in a way I cannot. The trust they will build will teach their children to trust. I can speak about God’s love and trust but if you are not experiencing it in your life, you will not be able to experience God’s love nor be able to trust God.
The Gospel today reminds us that we have a role to play in salvation. When you get the call to be a mentor embrace it wholeheartedly.
My final point today before I close is to direct you to the last paragraph of the Gospel. Jesus has very high praise of John the Baptist. He recognized John as the forerunner of his ministry, as He said: “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” The closing remarks are surprising. Jesus is recognizing that even though John was a great prophet he wasn’t perfect. When we are called to be a forerunner for someone it doesn’t mean we are perfect and that we won’t make mistakes along the way, in short we are called to simply live as best we can, attentive to what the Spirit is calling us to.
Thank you for joining me today.
Next Sunday, I’ll be sharing a new podcast episode on Matthew 1:18-24, where we will be introduced to Joseph, who would later become the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus.
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 love Scripture.
New episodes come out every Sunday, focusing on the week’s Gospel. Your feedback is always valuable, it guides and informs me concerning the needs of my listeners.
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 richly bless you!