A Psychologist looks at Scripture

Send us Fan Mail The disciples of Jesus note that John the Baptist has taught his disciples to pray.  They had likely seen Jesus pray or go off to a lonely place to pray so they are curious.  Jesus gives them direction and insight into prayer.  These “instructions” have become a prayer, the well know  Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father.  Prayer is very important for growth in our spiritual life.  Bef...

Send us Fan Mail Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus were friends of Jesus and they are frequently mentioned in the Gospels.  We don’t have any record of anythng that Lazarus said but he is one of the three people in the Gospels that Jesus raised from the dead. The biblical record identifies these three explicit resurrection miracles performed by Jesus before his own resurrection.  The story of...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s Gospel Jesus is asked by a lawyer what must he do to inherit eternal life.  The question is direct and honest, unlike many of the questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees that are often multi layered and are intended to trap Jesus rather learn from him.  Jesus answers directly by asking him about the Law.  This was understandable as the man was a lawyer.  The man goes f...

Send us Fan Mail This story is unusual because we have two distinct parts.  The first part focusses on the advice Jesus gives his disciples and the second part focusses upon their return.    When the 72 return,, they are rejoicing after what appears to be a most successful mission..  They are excited about what they saw.   It is noteworthy that the first thing the 72 disciples share is about their...

Send us Fan Mail Who is Jesus for you? Jesus asked this question to his disciples.  We all know by now that when Jesus asks a question, he already knows the answer and a teaching follows.  Today’s reading is no  exception.  Jesus asks his disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   Jesus gets a variety of answers, most people think he is a prophet who has resurrected from the dead.  Je...

Send us Fan Mail Today, our podcast focusses on one of the multiplication of loaves miracles.  Luke begins describing the story with Jesus  healing those who needed to be cured.  It appears it’s the end of the day, so the disciples want to send the people into the villages to get something to eat and possibly seek lodging.  Rather than sending the people away Jesus suggests that the disciples feed...

Send us Fan Mail The opening section of this Gospel brings to mind 1 Corinthians 13:11, where Paul uses the metaphor of childhood to describe spiritual immaturity: “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things.” Spiritual immaturity refers to a stage in which a believer has not yet developed a mature unde...

Send us Fan Mail To help us understand the Holy Spirit, the reading begins by emphasizing God’s love for us—a recurring and familiar theme in John’s Gospel. Love inherently involves vulnerability. The more deeply we love, the more at risk we are to being hurt. This vulnerability makes trust essential in any relationship. Trust can be given or earned, and violations of trust can sometimes be irrepa...

Send us Fan Mail Jesus makes some incredible claims, and provides  signs of God’s presence amongst his followers, driving out demons, speaking new languages, picking up serpents, drinking poison and miraculous healings, only to name a few.  This passage reminds me of the dramatic style of teaching Jesus used to introject passion into his teachings.  Remember the scripture passage that speaks of &q...

Send us Fan Mail Love is a central and recurring theme in John’s Gospel, and it has been a focus in previous episodes. Love lies at the core of Christian faith. However, I invite you to reflect on whether your image of God is one that is easy to love. Many identify as Christians out of a desire for salvation yet seeking salvation and loving God are not synonymous. Concerns about salvation often re...

Send us Fan Mail Jesus’ call to love is not easy, people are so afraid of being taken advantage of or they do not feel love for the person.  Is Jesus calling his followers to something they cannot achieve?  Are people who are loving more vulnerable to being taken advantage of?  Some people act as if they have a finite amount of love to give and so don’t love easily.  Rather than focussing on the c...

Send us Fan Mail 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.  We don’t see many shepherds in most western towns and cities.   When I think of shepherds, I think of individuals who knew and protected their sheep.  They...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among...

Send us Fan Mail 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 not in a position to directly impact peace between countries but we can work for peace within our communities, our families and ultimately ourselves.  Are we...

Send us Fan Mail 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.  She gets to the empty tomb and understandably believes the body has been taken away.  Later she would recognize Jesus.  Getting back to this story Pet...

Send us Fan Mail 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 take a very different turn.   I wonder what Jesus was feeling.  We read that he was in agony in the garden but what was he feeling when he is having thi...

Send us Fan Mail 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.   She was not only embarrassed but terrified.  Without Jesus’ intervention she faced a painful death.   She has a brief but powerful conversation with Jesus. An...

Send us Fan Mail 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 the money he is spending, it is his father’s hard-earned money.  This would be a good time to pause and reflect on the many opportunities that we enjoy...

Send us Fan Mail 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 bad luck was likely a result of God punishing them.  Jesus challenges this “blaming the victim’ stance.   This theme, namely  that misfortune is...

Send us Fan Mail 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 event the disciples are silent about the experience.  They don’t tell anyone.  How could they possibly explain to someone what they saw and then expect to be...

Send us Fan Mail 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 a place where individuals were prepared for their destinies. The desert offered solitude, which was conducive to reflection and prayer.  Jo...

Send us Fan Mail 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 someone who is highly educated but not wise, often making the same mistake over and over again.  On the other hand, you may know someone else who may not have all the ac...

Send us Fan Mail 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 your actions should be based on your personal values not a reaction to someone else’s bad behavior.  The teaching is a call to freedom.  Sure, it hurts when so...

Send us Fan Mail 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 future rewards for those who embody these traits. Consequently, the Beatitudes are foundational teachings outlining the ethical and spiri...

Send us Fan Mail 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 crucial for our own spiritual growth. I want to emphasize the moment when Jesus asks Peter to lower his nets for a catch—this serves as bo...