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 these individuals to courageously share faith with anyone who will listen.  There is no indication that they gained insight into their experiences, and the Spirit doesn’t offer to protect them.  Only one disciple, John, would die from natural causes.   The rest would ultimately give up their life for their faith.  The apostles will share their faith to all people regardless of racial origin or religious background.  We read that there were many people in Jerusalem from different cultures and they are able to understand the disciples.  It is miraculous.  We ought not be too surprised.  In the Gospel that describes the Ascension of Jesus, final instructions were that the disciples are to baptize all nations.

Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Transcript

Pentecost John 20:19-23 May 24-26  “The Fire and the Psyche: What Pentecost Means for Inner Transformation”

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 who is passionate about the deep connection between psychology and spirituality. For too long, these fields have viewed each other with suspicion. That's ironic, isn't it? Here's the truth, Healthy psychology strengthens our spirituality, and true spirituality—rooted in solid psychological health—offers profound meaning and resilience in our lives.

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 encourage my listeners who want more …. to listen to earlier editions of this podcast.  I draw from psychology articles, Scripture scholarship, and anthropological insights to help my listeners receive the Gospel from multiple perspectives.

So just to be clear, I see the Scriptures as guides for faith and spirituality. Biblical writers viewed history differently from modern historians.  The Bible is more than just another history book; the texts are richly layered— addressing not only events but spirituality, identity and faith.  There's always more wisdom to uncover.

If this podcast is meaningful to you, please subscribe! If you are on YouTube please consider writing a review and hit subscribe and let me know where you're tuning in from.  Feel free to ask a question or make a comment—I love the conversation. Sharing the podcast with friends and family who are interested in growing in their faith and spirituality is appreciated.  

The Gospel John 20:19-23 will be read in Christian Churches on May 24, 2026 during the feast of Pentecost.  This Gospel reading speaks of Jesus giving the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. It is noteworthy that Jesus ties forgiveness to receiving the Holy Spirit almost immediately as he is giving them the Spirit.  I noticed that we don’t get anywhere near the response from the disciples that is described in Acts 2:1-11.  Jesus frequently has talked about forgiveness as critical for life and for the growth of faith and spirituality.  I urge my listeners to check out the edition of this podcast released on January 4 of this year.  It seems to me that disciples, like everyone else, had to grow in their awareness of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus did reveal to them the existence of the Holy Spirit throughout his ministry but it seems the Spirit wasn’t fully revealed to them until after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

There are many other references to the Spirit throughout the Gospels.  I will give you a few examples to consider.  In John 3:5–8, Jesus says a person must be “born of water and the Spirit.”  In John 4:23–24, Jesus says that true worshiper’s worship “in spirit and truth.”  In Matthew 12:28 and Luke 11:20, Jesus links his exorcisms to the Spirit of God.  Jesus does give us hints about the Spirit.  In John 6:63, Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life.”  In John 14:15–31, Jesus promises “another Advocate” and says that the Father will send the Holy Spirit. And in John 15:26–27,  Jesus says the Spirit of truth will testify about him.

Talking about the Holy Spirit brings to mind the mystery of the Trinity.  Understanding the Trinity is truly a mystery.  We are reminded that we don’t fully understand God.  Fortunately, the Gospels help us know God and have faith.  There are many things we don’t fully grasp about God.  For example, creation, the stars, the galaxies and the edge of the endless universe.  These mysteries serve as important points in our faith development as we reflect on and gain insight into these mysteries.  The same is true for Pentecost.  We may not fully know and understand the Holy Spirit, but we can see the impact the Spirit had on the apostles and members of the early Christian Church.

In this Gospel, 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 these individuals to courageously share faith with anyone who will listen.  There is no indication that they gained insight into their experiences, and the Spirit doesn’t offer to protect them.  Only one disciple, John, would die from natural causes.   The rest would ultimately give up their life for their faith.  The apostles will share their faith to all people regardless of racial origin or religious background.  We read that there were many people in Jerusalem from different cultures and they are able to understand the disciples.  It is miraculous.  We ought not be too surprised.  In the Gospel that describes the Ascension of Jesus, final instructions were that the disciples are to baptize all nations.

The Holy Spirit will have an impact on our lives.  Some Christian traditions refer to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Catholic tradition, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These are described as permanent dispositions that help a person follow God’s prompting more readily.  In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists a broader set of spiritual gifts given by the Spirit for the good of the church. That list includes wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.  As important as these gifts are, it is the impact of the Spirit on the person’s faith response that is central.

The Holy Spirit is not something forced upon us.  In Luke 11:13, Jesus says the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask.  This is important.  When you examine the impact of the Holy Spirit you will notice that the disciple’s faith moves from a singular personal relationship with God to a holistic and deeper awareness of God’s creation and a greater awareness of their place in creation.  They became a true community of believers.  Its understandable now why the last instructions from Jesus were to baptize all nations.  Pentecost allowed the apostles to reach out beyond the local community to all the people of the world. 

If the Pentecost experience increases connection, hope, gratitude, and courage, it is very likely to have real psychological value as well. In that sense, it functions much like other meaningful religious rituals that help people feel grounded and less alone.  Pentecost can have psychological benefits, especially when it is experienced as a source of meaning, hope, community, and spiritual support. Research and expert commentary on religion and spirituality more broadly note benefits such as greater peace, purpose, forgiveness, and resilience under stress.

Pentecost emphasizes the Spirit forming a shared community, which can reduce loneliness and strengthen social support.  It can reinforce a sense that life and suffering fit into a larger story, which often helps people cope with uncertainty.  The Pentecost theme of the Holy Spirit’s presence can be psychologically soothing, especially during times of distress or grief.  The experience of the disciples following receiving the Holy Spirit reflect a new found boldness, which can translate into more confidence in facing challenges.

Pentecost is seen as the birthday of the universal Church.  It occurs 50 days after Easter, Pente meaning fifty.  While John 20:19-23 is different from the traditional understanding of Pentecost where the Spirit descends on the disciples and Mary, the Gospel still describes the Holy Spirit deepening our faith and calling us to a deeper union with God.  

Thank you for joining me!

Next Sunday, May 31, 2026, we will be reflecting on John 3:16-18 where we will be presented with a brief summary of the Gospels.  It is an important message that we need to be reminded of.  It is so easy to slip into a judgmental mode and critical view of our lives.  We are reminded here that God’s intention was the exact opposite.  We are encouraged to resist the superficial response of judging but rather focus on the challenging but so much more life-giving pathways that bring us closer to God.

New episodes release every Sunday for the next week's Gospel. Big thanks to Heather Patel Doherty and Richard Coulombe for their wonderful help.