Cacophony and euphony are words that derive from the Greek language.  The former means bad sound; the latter means good sound.  Our environment is full of bad sounds–an indication that nihilism has made deep inroads into our consciousness.  The music combines harsh sounds with harsh words.  It fills the air with many paying no attention, but being affected by it.  It has helped erode our common life; it has affected  our children’s future life and reflects opinions already held by those growing up in a toxic environment.

The Doors sang a song entitled, “Riders on the Storm,” Jim Morrison’s last piece before he died in 1971.  Here is the chorus.

Riders on the storm, riders on the storm

Into this house we’re born, into this world we’re thrown

Like a dog without a bone, an actor out on loan

Riders on the storm.

These words may reflect our existential situation (or attitude); but, they offer no solution but despair.  To state the problem is not to respond in a hopeful way.  We become “dogs without a bone, ” like Macbeth who brought on his own personal disaster.  “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death, Out, out brief candle!  Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more.  It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”   Despite life’s challenges, we need the hope that the Gospel gives.  We need living water, not a desert.

 

In contrast are the words of Paul Gerhardt, German Lutheran pastor and the music by Heinrich Isaac.

The radiant sun has vanished

Its golden rays are banished

From dark’ning skies of night;

But Christ, the sun of gladness,

Dispelling all our sadness,

Shines down on us in warmest light.

(Paul Gerhardt from the Lutheran Book of Worship)

We all have a choice to make.  Will we be nihilists, thinking life has no meaning and all is dark, or will we rest in God who created us and watches over us?  Despite many temptations to give up on life, I would pick the euphony over the cacophony.  Our apologetics and witness represent euphony.  God gets the last word, not deeply sinful and confused human beings.

 

Michael G. Tavella

October 4, 2024

Saint Francis of Assisi