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
John 9.1-34 Pharisees' Blind Spot: Escape Groupthink Today
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The Pharisees are fixated on the fact that Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath and missing the more significant and obvious miracle of a man being given the opportunity to see for the very first time. The Pharisees clearly have an agenda and rigidly hold on to it despite the facts and that their perspective is literally missing the bigger picture. . The man who was once blind has not only gained his sight but is able to see more than the Pharisees who have always had their sight.
Hello, and a warm welcome to my regular listeners and those joining us for the first time—thank you for being here!
I am Peter Doherty, a Catholic priest and psychologist passionate about the deep connection between psychology and spirituality. For too long, these fields have viewed each other with suspicion. That is ironic, isn't it? Healthy psychology strengthens our spirituality, and true spirituality—rooted in solid psychological health—offers profound meaning and resilience.
In this short podcast, I explore the Gospel reading for the coming week. It's a resource for preachers preparing homilies, as well as anyone teaching or studying Scripture. I draw from psychology articles, Scripture scholarship, and anthropological insights to make the Gospel relatable.
I see the Scriptures as guides for faith and spirituality. Biblical writers viewed history differently from modern historians, and these texts are richly layered—there's always more wisdom to uncover.
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This week's Gospel for March 15, 2026, is John 9: 1-41 which is the story of the gaining of sight for the man born blind.
In today’s Gospel, we have several lengthy discussions about a healing. It is unusual as we have so much more detail about the conversations about the miracle than the miracle itself. It is noteworthy the extraordinary lengths the Pharisees go to dismiss Jesus.
It is obvious that the lesson here is found in the dialogue between the former blind man who sadly remains nameless and the Pharisees and the conversation between the blind man and Jesus. There are significant differences. The Pharisees are fixated on the fact that Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath and missing the more significant and obvious miracle of a man being given the opportunity to see for the very first time. The Pharisees clearly have an agenda and rigidly hold on to it despite the facts and that their perspective is literally missing the bigger picture. They are clearly not being objective and find ways to dismiss the reality that is unfolding around them. The conversation between the man and Jesus is ironic. The man who was once blind has not only gained his sight but is able to see more than the Pharisees who have always had their sight. This Gospel is a textbook account of the defence mechanism of fixation, which is a form of displacement. What were the Pharisees defending themselves from? Anxiety. They were giving strong evidence that Jesus was at the very least a prophet, a holy man. Perhaps in time they would see him as their Messiah; someone they have been waiting for all their life. Like the man born blind who regained his sight, the Pharisees would see the Messiah the one they have been waiting for all their life. Sadly, what they thought they were looking for was too much for them.
For the Pharisees recognizing Jesus as the son of God or even as a prophet would have significantly changed their life. They were not willing to even open to exploring further who Jesus was and for that reason they stayed in their spiritual blindness. The conversation Jesus had with the man born blind illustrates the path. Initially the man did not know who Jesus was, but he knew and accepted that there was something different here. He initially though Jesus was a prophet. That is understandable but when Jesus asks him again the man asks to know who Jesus is. He seeks to believe and finally he sees.
What would stop anyone for wanting to believe? I suspect fear keeps many from wanting to believe. What would be the cost? They may fear what their faith would lead them to do. Having a very rigid expectations of how God is supposed to act can intervene with a developing faith. I have spoken about expectations before. While needed, expectations can also get in the way of us recognizing God in our midst.
How can we avoid the mistake the Pharisees made? To unpack this, let's turn to a fascinating psychological concept: groupthink, developed by Irving Janis in his 1972 book Victims of Groupthink. Janis, a Yale psychologist, analysed disasters like flawed U.S. foreign policy decisions. He showed how tight-knit groups often prioritize harmony and consensus over critical thinking and truth—especially when they are insulated from outside views.
Researchers Eliezer Schnall and Michael J. Greenberg explored this in their article "Groupthink and the Sanhedrin," published in the Journal of Management History. They noted that Israel's ancient high court, the Sanhedrin, actually built in safeguards to curb groupthink. But I wonder: did they go far enough? We see the Pharisees' clear disdain for anyone challenging their authority, plus their stubborn refusal to face facts that contradicted them. Like classic groupthink, even dissenting Pharisees likely got shut down by the leaders.
Today's Gospel reading gives us a front-row seat to groupthink in action. The man born blind clings to his growing faith in Jesus, but he pays a heavy price—he is thrown out by those who are spiritually blind. Yet he keeps seeking Jesus anyway. The takeaway for anyone serious about spiritual growth? Expect resistance. Friends and family might not get it or feel too intimidated to support you. Much of the criticism will feel unfair, but that's part of the journey. The key is finding that sweet spot: standing firm in your beliefs while staying open to needed correction. Notice how neither Jesus nor the healed man lash out at the Pharisees—they just focus on their own growth. It is both a warning of what is ahead and a guide for moving forward.
This Gospel also warns religious groups about the dangers of an "us-versus-them" mentality. St. Paul tackles this head-on in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, urging unity amid opposition. Truly spiritual people respect differing views, listen openly to others' experiences, and stay curious. That final conversation between Jesus and the healed man? It shows curiosity about God is a powerful tool for spiritual growth.
Thank you for joining me!
Next Sunday, March 22, 2026, I will reflect on John 11:1-45, where Jesus raises his friend Lazaarus from the dead.
New episodes are released every Sunday on the next week's Gospel. Big thanks to Heather Patel Doherty and Richard Coulombe for their wonderful help.
Questions or comments? Email me at peter.dohertyomi@gmail.com.
May God richly bless you!