Show Notes
Overall Takeaways
Dr. Gerry: Our mental filter prevents us from allowing God to show His glory through us.
Dr. Peter: We don’t know who we are because we don’t know who Jesus is.
Key Verses from Sunday Mass Readings
“The LORD said to me: You are my servant,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.”
“It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations.”
“I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
Where Catholicism Meets Psychology
* If Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, says “I did not know Him,” do we really know Christ? If we don't know Jesus, then we can't really know ourselves. Not really understanding who we are is one of the four reasons people seek therapy.
* In our society, our identities are often tied to our jobs, our roles, and what we produce, not that we’re made in the image of God.
* If a woman’s identity is tied to being a mom and her kids grow up and leave, she may wonder who she is and what her purpose is now. If individuals retire from jobs that have defined them, they may not see a reason for their existence.
* Tying our identity to what we do causes distress. Our true identity is developed in relationships with God and others.
* We often have positive or negative mental filters that color everything about the Church, our families, or other aspects of our lives. We tend to pick one thing and dwell on it.
* Jesus comes to “raise and restore.” How can we imitate Him? We need to put our security in Him, not in ourselves. We need to break our mental filters so we can see truth in ourselves and others.
Action Items
Dr. Peter: Go into prayer, and ask Jesus, “Who are You? What do I not understand about You?”
Dr. Gerry: Break a mental filter about your family or the Church, and affirm the goodness and beauty in them instead.