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
85 episodes
Jn 10-27-30, May 11-25 Are there shepherds amongst us?
Jesus portrays shepherds as protectors and guides for the sheep. Likely they served as metaphors of God’s protective and guiding nature. I wonder if there is more here. Perhaps the shepherd has a role to play in our faith.&nbs...
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Season 2
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Episode 79
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8:06
Jn 21-1-19 May 4-25 Leadership, Christian style
This teaching on leadership must have been revolutionary to the first listeners to this teaching. Jesus addresses this in Mark 10:42-45, as Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentil...
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Season 2
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Episode 78
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7:28
Jn 20:19-31 Apr 27-25 How do we live Christian Peace?
Peace is not just an absence of conflict. Lasting peace needs justice. There are also several levels of peace. There is peace between countries, communities, families and ultimately our own internal peace. Most of us are...
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Season 2
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Episode 77
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9:21
Jn 20:1-9 Apr 20-25 Jesus is risen in an adult Easter
This Gospel is one of the early resurrection stories. We read about Mary of Magdala going to the tomb, knowing that she would not likely be able to go into the tomb because it would be blocked by a huge stone; but she went anyway. S...
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Season 2
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Episode 76
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8:02
Luke 22-14-23,56 Apr 13-25 Where is divine support for our struggles?
This Gospel is an account of the last meal Jesus had with his disciples. The meal is better known as the last supper. Soon Jesus' earthly mission will be over. The disciples do not realize yet that this evening is going to tak...
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Season 2
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Episode 75
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9:13
John 8: 1-11 Apr 6-25 The story of the woman caught in adultery teaches us about self-reflection
Today’s Gospel is a teaching, Gospel. Its also unusual. In most instances the person seeks out Jesus or recognizes him before asking for something. I suspect the woman in this story wanted to be anywhere else but there. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 74
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8:23
Luke 15:1-3,11-32 New Insights on the Prodigal Son
Jesus describes a young man who wants adventure and asks for his share of his father’s estate. After he receives his inheritance, he leaves and lives a carefree life. I want to draw your attention to the fact that he did not earn th...
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Season 2
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Episode 73
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8:13
Luke 13:1-9 Jesus teaches us about sin and misfortune
In this Gospel Jesus talks about two situations where innocent people were killed. Jesus articulates the thoughts of the people who believed that the people who were killed were not only responsible for their misfortunate but that their b...
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Season 2
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Episode 72
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10:59
Like 9-28b-36 The Transfiguration, having a mystical experience
This Podcast focusses on one of the most unusual Gospel passages of all the Gospels; the Transfiguration. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus in front of Peter, James and John. The event seems unexpected and following the...
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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8:48
Lk 4: 1-13 Jesus is tempted by the Devil
We don’t know for sure what Jesus actually did while he was in the desert. In biblical times, going to the desert held significant spiritual, symbolic, and practical meanings. Here are some key aspects of its significance. The desert was often ...
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Season 2
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Episode 70
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9:40
Lk 6:39-45 Jesus teaching us to be wise
Jesus is calling his followers to be wise. He gives a few tools on how to be wise. The list is not complete. What is wisdom? Wisdom is correlated with intelligence but its not absolute. I suspect you may know someo...
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Season 2
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Episode 69
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7:18
Luke 6-27-38, Loving our enemies. Are you serious?
Christians are called to go beyond the bare minimum. Let’s unpack this Gospel, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Tough words. The basic message is Jesus telling the people that ...
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Season 2
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Episode 68
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10:10
Lk 6 :17, 20-26 Feb 16-25 The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are not merely statements of happiness; they encapsulate profound spiritual truths about God's kingdom and our spiritual development. They highlight qualities such as humility, mercy, and a thirst for righteousness, promising fut...
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Season 2
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Episode 67
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8:34
Lk 5 -1-11 Feb 9-25 St. Peter throws his nets for the last time.
The call of Peter and the other disciples illustrates God's invitation for us to follow Him. Despite his initial reluctance and desire to return home after a long night of fishing, Peter allows Jesus into his boat. This kind of openness is cruc...
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Season 2
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Episode 66
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6:03
Lk 2:22-40 Feb 2-25 Simeon and Anna recognizes Jesus as the Messiah when he was a baby
When Jesus was presented in the temple, it was likely an ordinary event among many similar presentations each week. However, Simeon and Anna's ability to perceive something extraordinary suggests that spirituality often eludes those who do not ...
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Season 2
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Episode 65
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7:07
Luke 1:1-21 Jesus describes for us his mission statement
During Sabbath services, it was customary for males to read from Scripture or the Torah. Jesus reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, which is significant because Isaiah made many prophecies about the Messiah. The Gospel of Matthew ...
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Season 2
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Episode 64
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5:49
John 2-1-11 Are we aware of God's interventions in our life?
The Gospel today is about the first miracle that Jesus performed. It is unique. There are no healings, or obvious teachings. The teaching is actually rather subtle. Jesus makes wine for a wedding at the request or expectation of his mother. The...
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Season 2
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Episode 63
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11:42
Luke 3-15-16, 21-22 Baptism of Jesus Do we need to embrace community?
In Luke’s Gospel we have a brief description of Jesus being baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist. The details are scarce. We don’t know why Jesus chose to participate in this ritual or how it impacted his ministry. This story is probl...
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Season 2
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Episode 61
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8:39
Epiphany Mt 2: 1-12 The Gentile Scientists welcome Jesus
In today’s Gospel the arrival of the Magi is noted. This Gospel is full of symbolism about who Jesus would be. Some biblical traditions list the Magi as kings and some traditions have even named them, Caspar (or Gaspar), Melchior, a...
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Season 2
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Episode 60
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9:33
The Spirituality of New Years Resolutions Can we take another look?
I like to do something special for Lent and Advent. Last Easter I set up an internet retreat. This Christmas season I want to talk about the spirituality of New Years Resolutions. I feel very strongly about this. I am surprised the Church doesn...
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Season 2
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Episode 62
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10:10
Lk 2:41-52 Learning the value of waiting
The Gospel today is quite different from our usual readings. It is a story from when Jesus was a twelve-year-old boy. This Gospel story is likely every parent’s nightmare; having one of their children lost. I can hardly imagine what Mary ...
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Season 2
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Episode 59
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8:16
Lk 1:39-45 Mary and Elizabeth redefine meekness
In today’s podcast we have Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. There are several points in this Gospel I want to point out. We have Mary who is pregnant herself going to help her cousin Elizabeth . Mary’s sense of servic...
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Season 2
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Episode 58
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9:39
Lk-3-10-18 Dec 15-24 Living our spirituality in our daily lives
In this podcast from Luke, we hear more about John the Baptist. John is giving advice to individuals who want to change their life to reflect their beliefs. These individuals realize that their faith is not just practiced on holy da...
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Season 2
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Episode 57
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7:53
Lk 3: 1-6 Meeting John the Baptist
In today’s podcast we are introduced to John also known as John the Baptist not to be confused with the apostle John, the beloved disciple. John the Baptist was related to Jesus, his mother Elizabeth and Mary, the mother of Jesus were fir...
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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9:16
Lk 21-25-28,34-36 Jesus talks about difficult times to prepare us to live our lives without fear!
We are encouraged to stand firm Lk 21:19 and be careful (Lk 21:34). These are valuable lessons for life, not just for coping with the end times but also applicable in the present moment. I wonder if Jesus was talking about the end of the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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11:34