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.
Episodes
143 episodes
Mt 10.26-33, “Anxious Faith: When Jesus Tells You to Calm Down”
The early Christian community lived with significant fear—fear of rejection, persecution, and uncertainty about God’s presence in their suffering. That experience remains familiar today. While Scripture frequently refers to the “fear of the Lor...
Mt 9:36-10-8 June 14-26 Go, But Not There: Unpacking Jesus’ Confusing Commands
In this Gospel, Jesus sends out his disciples to minister to the people. We don’t know exactly at what point in Jesus ministry did he send out the disciples. We have many references to Jesus sending out his disciples to evangelize p...
C Mt 9:36-10:8 Jun 7-26 When God Becomes Food: The Intimacy That Confuses and Terrifies Us
Today's reading needs to be unpacked to grasp the full meaning of the Gospel. Likely, this Gospel is of the same caliber as many of Jesus' statements that were meant to challenge the people and focus on the passion of the teachings. Other examp...
John 3:16-18 May 31-26 Love Without Exception: How God’s Love Transforms the Human Heart
Love is a defining theme throughout John’s Gospel. Not only does John emphasize God’s love for us, but he also stresses our call to love one another. In John 13:34–35, Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you...
John 20:19-23 “The Fire and the Psyche: What Pentecost Means for Inner Transformation?”
We have the disciples gathered behind lock doors. There they are processing their experience of crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. That is all they can do. Then God’s mysterious presence in the form of the Spirit moves the...
Ascension Mt 28:16-20 "The Ascension and the Ache of Letting Go: Why Goodbyes Shape the Soul"
Like many goodbyes, the Ascension is bittersweet. Jesus has completed his ministry on Earth. He can have a sense of accomplishment. Yet he is saying goodbye to his disciples. There were likely many positive memories of c...
Jn 14:15-21-May 10 26 "Truth: The Raw Foundation of Divine Love"
As Jesus introduces the spirit of Truth as part of our relationship with God. Truth is absolutely foundational for spiritual growth, not just an optional “nice‑to‑have” accessory. In Christian teaching, truth is what God uses to convert and set...
Jn 14:1-12 May 3-26 The God You Picture Shapes Your Mental Health—Is Yours Healthy?
In today’s edition there is a lot going on in this Gospel which is typical in John’s Gospel. The Gospel starts with Jesus trying to reassure his disciples. He speaks about providing a place for them and returning to come and get the...
A 4 East Jn 10.1-10 Apr 26-26 Faith’s Breaking Point: Surviving the Crisis of Trust
One of the techniques that Jesus used was using situations that the people would be familiar with. The readings today are no exception. The people would be familiar with the gate keeper for the sheep. To give you some backgrou...
Lk 24.13-35 Apr 19-26 Burning Hearts, Blind Eyes: Why We Miss the Divine in Plain Sight
In today’s edition from Luke 24 we hear about two disciples on a walk from Jerusalem to a village 7 miles away called Emmaus. While it seems like an innocent walking excursion, there is so much going on. We gain insight into ...
Easter John 20:19-31 Apr 12-26 Beyond Pacifism: Unpacking Christ's Radical Call to Peace
Jesus greets his disciples with "Peace," the first words he speaks—signaling its central place in our spirituality. Amid world events and ongoing wars, this topic feels especially timely. Jesus frequently taught about peace: from the Beatitudes...
Easter Jn 20:1-9 Apr 5, 26 The Empty Tomb's Echo: Trauma and Triumph in Early Faith.
On April 5, 2026, we celebrate Easter, the radiant heart of Christianity, with joyful celebrations, family gatherings, and renewed hope. Yet in our familiarity, we risk missing its visceral intensity. We view the full story through histor...
MT 21.1-11 Mar 29-26 Hail to the King: When Adoration Turns to Betrayal
There are many spiritual lessons in this seemly simple Gospel. At the beginning of the Gospel Jesus gives very specific instructions. I suspect Matthew is telling his listeners that Jesus knew what was going on and that this was a v...
5 Jn 11:1-45, Mar 22-26 Awakening the Soul: Lazarus' Story Through Spiritual Psychology
The Gospel for March 22, 2026, is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This is one of three resurrection stories in the Gospels—the others involve Jairus's daughter and the son of the widow of Nain. What sets Lazarus's story apart?...
John 9.1-34 Pharisees' Blind Spot: Escape Groupthink Today
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 ...
John 4.5-43 Mar 8-26 From Trauma to Truth: Jesus' Radical Therapy at the Well
Jesus reveals he's the Messiah only three times in the Gospels (here, to a Samaritan woman; and twice at his trial). He sees her wounds but also her resilience and faith. Despite pain, she's tied to her community. I wonder if these qualit...
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
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 ...
Mt 4.1-11 Feb 22-26 Stones to Bread: When Desire Hijacks Your Divine Calling
In today’s podcast we focus on Matthew’s account of Jesus completing 40 days in the desert. It is not clear whether Matthew is drawing a connection between Jesus’ time in the desert and the Israelites wandering around in the desert ...
Mt 5.17-37 Feb 15-26 Law as Spiritual Compass: Navigating Faith's Path
As we develop our faith life our view of the law will change from following the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. Jesus was often critical of the Pharisees who lived by the letter of the law and chose not to recognize the purpos...
Mt 5.13-16 Feb 8-26 Jesus' Images: Spiritual Symbols, Mental Realms
In today’s Gospel Jesus describes living our faith in three metaphors that would be easily understood by the first listeners. Also, I suspect the choice of the metaphors may have additional meaning too.The first metaphor that Jesus...
Mt 5.1-12 Feb 1-26 Soul Science: The Beatitudes Unmasked
In the podcast today we are introduced to a segment of the teachings of Jesus known as the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes gives us insight into the mind of Jesus. There is some debate about what Jesus actually meant but let’s look more ...
Mt 4.12-17 Jan 25-26 From Nets to the Unknown: The Disciples' Shocking Yes!
This Gospel describes the early beginnings of Jesus ministry. The death of John the Baptist seems to be the trigger for Jesus, and he begins by inviting people to join him in his mission. There are two points I want to draw your att...
John 1:29-34 Jan 18-26 Where does doubt fit in my spirituality?
The lesson for us is not to get alarmed if we have periods of doubt or question aspects of our faith. As pointed out, these are signs of an adult faith. I invite you to see doubts as an invitation to explore, to be curious, to quest...
Mt 3.13-17 Jan 11-25 Unburden the Soul: Faith, Forgiveness, and Mental Freedom
Today’s edition focuses on the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This is only recorded direct episode of Jesus interacting with John the Baptist. To give you some context, John was inviting people to the Jordan River for a spiri...
Mt 2.1-12 Jan 4-26 - The arrival of the Magi
This Gospel speaks about the days after the birth of Jesus. What should have been a joyous event has a very dark layer behind it. In this account we have the Magi coming to acknowledge the birth of a king. On this note I encou...