Parables and Positive Psychology 5/6/20 – Positively Psychological

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“When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life ”(John 8:12).

Hi everyone!

Whether you guys noticed it or not, I’ve certainly been out for a long time, even after my pause post! I hope everything went well for you!

I am especially inspired to write today because of the previous verse that spoke to me while doing my daily meditation reading (a habit that I have developed strongly over the past 4-6 months, and highly recommend it!). The verse is found in the Gospel Acclamation from today’s Catholic Mass.

What surprised me is how relevant this is to the times we face today. I think it is very easy for many of us to feel that we are in the dark at this time of social isolation and anxiety due to the Coronavirus. Even though many of us stay in our homes and limit our physical interactions with others, I think it is an extraordinary comfort to find the meaning of this verse today. If you especially feel that these are dark times, perhaps now it is better than never to contemplate what Jesus says in the Gospel, especially with this verse.

For me specifically, especially considering my background in positive psychology and wellness in general, I think about how Jesus is truly the light of the world. He is Hope, He is Wisdom, He is Love. These are just a few of the various character traits that Jesus himself exemplifies (link provided below for more traits). Many of us may even have additional time on our hands, so we can use this time to better learn His word from the scriptures. Through this, he can equip us with important tools to combat these challenging times, including giving us patience to survive, giving us hope for better days ahead, and loving those around us even more when we finally reunite with them physically. By looking at Jesus and all the goodness he exemplifies, we can be enlightened by his light, so as not to walk in darkness even in these challenging times.

I know that for me specifically, my patience has been tested, my motivation challenged, and my values need critical reflection. Putting my faith and trust in Jesus has helped me resolve all of this, although the temptations and challenges may be more present than ever! Looking at his light in times of darkness has been a great help, especially since He is all good. He is all the character virtues we must strive for (again, I recommend seeing the link!). Let His light and all the goodness that He embodies illuminate you, so that you do not walk in darkness. And if you feel like this has happened to you, put it on the highest candlestick for others to see too!

If there are any reflections you would like to offer on this verse or basically anything on how you have tried to see the light through the darkness in general, I would love to hear about them in the comments! As always, I look forward to hearing what you have to say and hope you are doing well.

https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths