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 17,1-9 Mar 1, 2026 Peter, James, and John's radiant vision atop the mountain reveals altered states of consciousness, linking mystical experience to psychological transcendence
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The Transfiguration stands out from accounts of Jesus' healings and teachings. There's a group of miracles that feel different—perhaps even puzzling—but they're deeply spiritual. Consider Jesus walking on water and inviting Peter to join him (Matthew 14:22-33); calming the storm amid the disciples' pleas (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25); turning water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1-11); finding a coin in a fish's mouth for the temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27); or casting demons into a herd of pigs (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). You might think of others.
Mt 17,1-9 Mar 1, 2026
Greetings, and welcome to my regular listeners and to those joining us for the first time—thank you for being here!
I'm Peter Doherty, a Catholic priest and psychologist, passionate about the rich relationship between psychology and spirituality. For too long, these fields have eyed each other with mistrust. That's ironic: because healthy psychology strengthens our spirituality, and true spirituality—grounded in solid psychological health—becomes a profound source of meaning and resilience.
In this short podcast, I explore the Gospel reading for the coming week. It's designed as a resource for preachers preparing homilies or sermons, as well as for anyone teaching or studying Scripture. I draw from published articles in psychology and Scripture scholarship, plus anthropological background to put the Gospel message into a relatable context.
I see the Scriptures as primarily guiding us in faith and spirituality. Biblical writers understood history differently from modern historians, and these texts are richly multi-layered—there's always more wisdom to uncover.
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The Gospel for March 1, 2026, focuses on the Transfiguration, where three disciples who witness Jesus' glory (Matthew 17:1-9). I've covered this before, so check out my episodes from March 19, 2025, and February 18, 2024. Today, however, I'll take a fresh approach.
The Transfiguration stands out from accounts of Jesus' healings and teachings. There's a group of miracles that feel different—perhaps even puzzling—but they're deeply spiritual. Consider Jesus walking on water and inviting Peter to join him (Matthew 14:22-33); calming the storm amid the disciples' pleas (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25); turning water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1-11); finding a coin in a fish's mouth for the temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27); or casting demons into a herd of pigs (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). You might think of others.
These weren't random events; they served as teaching tools to illustrate Jesus' spiritual points. The Transfiguration is similar. Theologians note Moses as the Law's author and ascribe Elijah as the greatest prophet—together, they in fact show Jesus fulfilling both. That's powerful, but I wonder if there's more.
Much remains in the realm of the mysterious and the unknown. Scripture scholars offer theories, but we don't know exactly what happened, whether the event took place before or after the Resurrection, or why Jesus chose only Peter, James, and John to be present, or if Peter simply misunderstood (wanting to build tents for Moses and Elijah). Did it happen more than once? Second Peter 1:16-18 calls it an eyewitness moment of Christ's majesty on the holy mountain. The disciples were sworn to secrecy, and thus we hear no more.
The Gospels are full of such open ends—people appear and vanish without follow-up. Maybe we don't need all the answers for our faith to grow. There are multiple layers of meaning to explore.
We easily spot Jesus' interventions in healings, feedings, or critiques of the Pharisees. But events like the Transfiguration—or those "odd" miracles—are often overlooked, and in the case of the Transfiguration even misunderstood by Peter himself.
I propose that we all have spiritual experiences. They may not dazzle like the Transfiguration, but they're vital for our spiritual and psychological growth. I urge you to reflect to remember past events that you cannot explain, but the experience gave you or perspective that you needed.
Research confirms humanity's spiritual longing arises from innate psychological, evolutionary, and biopsychological drives—fueling our universal search for meaning, connection, and the sacred across cultures.
James Fowler's stages of faith describe spirituality as lifelong meaning-making, from primal trust in infancy (Stage 0) to rare universalizing compassion (Stage 6). Self-Determination Theory by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan ties it to needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness—often fulfilled through relationship with God or the sacred.
Jungian analysts see the Transfiguration as a "peak experience," where the ego meets the divine Self—Jesus' shining face and clothes symbolizing wholeness and integration.
I'm not saying that we need to overanalyze every odd event for spiritual meaning. Instead, we need to keep an open mind and heart. The Spirit may work in unexpected ways and like the disciple Peter we may misunderstand.
Thank you for joining me today.
Next Sunday, March 8, 2026, I'll share reflections on the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-15, 19-26, 39-42), who broke barriers in order to encounter Jesus.
New episodes drop every Sunday, focusing on the next week's Gospel.
Big thanks to Heather Patel Doherty and Richard Coulombe for their wonderful help in preparing each weekly episode.
Questions or comments? Email me at peter.dohertyomi@gmail.com.
May God richly bless you!