What does it mean to have a good time? Is it really just a question of personal preference, as many young people would tell you today, or is it more a matter of being well-tuned—well-tuned to the realities around us—instead of being plugged in and tuned out? 

“Cupid and Death” is not a rave party theme, not a hip new band, not a fraternity or sorority hosted event, but rather a musical Masque of sorts, containing Donne, Shakespeare, the music of John Dowland, Euclidian jokes and a four part Polyphonic chorus all arranged by our very own junior, Jonathan Wanner.  I recently had the privilege of attending the performance of “Cupid and Death”.

Cupid and Death rest a night at an Inn, where the scoundrel of a Chamberlin switches the quivers of Cupid for the quivers of Death.  Jolly mischief ensues as both Death and Cupid go on their ways only to be thwarted as Cupid’s arrows bring death and Death’s bring amore.  Just as things start getting thoroughly out of hand, a stately Angel of the Lord comes to set things aright.  He chastises Cupid and Death, reminding them that they are mere servants to his Master.  Order is restored and the Chorus concludes with a simply angelic polyphonic harmony glorifying the wounds and love of Christ that bring life in abundance.

Not how you would expect college students and staff to be spending a weekend.  The students came out in full force to attend the performance. In fact, many of them attended showings on Saturday and Sunday. Everyone around me was bought to tears of laughter by the witty lines and exaggerated shenanigans.  It was a truly spectacular performance displaying the virtues of true love, a good death and an ordered creator-praising nature. It was a festive occasion within a flourishing community.

 I utterly enjoyed this performance.  It was fun. Everyone I know should have the privilege of gaining so much enjoyment out of similar past times. In speaking with others, I realize that the art of festivity, true fun, and enjoyment is something that has been cast aside for cheaper pleasures, entertainment, and spectacle. There is a disconnect today. It is especially clear in young people who go around convincing one another that certain things are fun, when in reality the majority of them are lost, confused and miserable.  When did we decide as a generation that the idea of “good, clean, wholesome fun” is backwards, pathetic and dorky? When did we get tuned to the static station of instantly gratifying pleasures, losing control and being disordered?

 

When I received my school books sophomore year of college I was packing for my Rome Semester.  I opened the books like new found friends, only to pack them away again with my belongings.  There were two that caught my eye: Leisure the Basis of Culture and In Tune with the World: a Theory of Festivity, both written by German Catholic Philosopher, Josef Pieper and both made it into my carry on. Indeed, they were read cover to cover before I set foot on Italian soil, where I was to spend four glorious months.  The reader is introduced to the concept of leisure in each work and invited to reflect and turn towards the ordered life.  Through these works, we are drawn to question, “What is the good life?”.  Our eyes are opened to see the gratitude and generosity demanded by the gift of life itself. 

A popular slogan that I am sure we have all seen or perhaps worn ourselves is “Life is Good”. Young people today will blatantly state life is good, but it no longer occurs to them that they are made to pursue goodness. That, of course, is impossible, because they have no understanding of it and there lies the tragedy. Enslaved to lie of relativity and therefore living without any manner of a moral compass, they seek immediate gratification in the meanest of ways. All the while they are parched, truly parched, for “Death and Cupid.” They are thirsting for the goodness, for the innocence, for the joyful hope that should be theirs as young people.