Joy in fun and play: JY needs it (BJRE030)

Joy in fun and play: JY needs it

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2020)

“We must teach our youth to have fun and games when they come together.” This was a point of discussion in one First Line gathering. But there was stiff resistance.  “No! Our youth are already too playful and waiting for a chance to have fun. We come together for prayer and evangelization. If our groups become places of fun, that will kill all that spirit, and we will become like any other loose youth group.” 

After all the fights and discussions, the group decided to take a new direction. The First Line group realized we needed training because fun and play were unnatural to our Charismatic ways and teachings. We invited one Tomy from Alleppy, a total outsider, to challenge and train us. For three days, he broke the ice of all of us key people in the movement, making us run around, laugh, play, and make ourselves like children who enjoy the exhilarating company. It was early in 1983, and the training changed our personal lives, approach to group gatherings, and how we gave our retreats and talks.

We planned a leadership training. A team from among us planned its content and dynamics, calling it the Know Yourself Program. Using a lot of fun, games, active discussion, and reflection, we led groups through this 4-day transforming experience. This was offered all over Kerala. Then, the “Youth Camp” at Thevara in 1984 was, in fact, an Initiation Retreat, but entirely packed in the new wineskin of fun and play. The three hundred-odd teenagers who attended it loved it but were radically changed. And above all, the epoch-making “Jesus Youth ‘85” was envisioned on this keystone. 

And what was its impact? Introducing fun and play in our youth circles, especially in our training, brought a lot of fresh air and joy to our movement. Consciously or otherwise, our circles became youth-friendly, fanatic attitudes were mellowed down, and dropout rates dramatically lessened. 

Why fun and games for youth?

Fr Gino’s input during a previous training influenced changing our attitude toward prayer, spirituality, and mission. The above-mentioned discussion was possible only in that context. In one session, he discussed the ‘Masks’ we all wear. Our masks of ‘Obedient daughter,’ ‘Responsible student,’ ‘Pious Catholic,’ and so on can be just an external pretension, never truly reflected on and examined by ourselves. Masks are mainly to please others, but our deep yearnings and dreams may differ. Becoming aware of Myself, the real and special me, is the first step towards becoming a genuine person and removing my masks. I can grow in prayer only in this way. When I am on my life’s mission, it is to love, and my real self is very important. Unfortunately, most of us think of great saints and excellent examples without connecting them with the real ‘me.’  And eventually, I don’t even ask what I can and want, leading us to wear those ‘masks.’ 

In our discussions, we said, ‘Isn’t this what Jesus said, be like little children?’ As someone said, ‘If you want to see the real child, go to the playground.’ And one way to kill a child that is inside every child is by not allowing a child to play. Another comment was, ‘We grown-up people have fun only when we make fun of others.’ Innocent fun and play are so far away from us. Even those advanced in spiritual life are good at making fun of others but are very upset when being made fun of by others. Being playful and laughing with people around us is a beautiful way of overcoming our pride and self-righteous attitudes. Thus, we overcome the greatest hurdles in the path of holiness. St John Bosco was loved by youth and led them all to Christ through many creative ways. He used to say, “Run, jump, have all the fun you want at the right time, but for heaven's sake, do not commit sin!”

Hear what Pope Francis says, “we must discover the depth of the person, the fundamental health, the capacity for lightheartedness, the creative capacity for play. The Book of Wisdom says that God was playful; the Wisdom of God was playful. Rediscover play as a learning experience, as an educational experience, so that education will no longer be merely information but creativity at play. Rediscover this playful aspect, enabling us to grow in creativity and joint work.”  As the Pope rightly says, helping children and youth be joyful and playful is very important, as that indicates a healthy inner life and that the person is growing on the path of love and right spirituality. 

Help youth peel off ‘masks’ and be joyful and playful.

“In 1991, I came across this Jesus Youth group called the Rex Band. Their stage show was beautiful and deeply spiritual, but later, when I spent the next day with the group, it shocked me. They were just playful, having fun with one another”.  These were the words of a young Charismatic leader from Bombay who thought that spiritual people shouldn’t laugh and play.  But in a few days, he became a great friend and fan of these prayerful artists because they were genuine, and each had a unique yet deep relationship with God. Later, he shared that his deepest conversion was becoming a joyful and genuine Christian like these wonderful ‘’Rex Banders. 

Young people are in search of a genuine and youthful spirituality. Fun and play are part of it. They will surely be transformed when they see it, as that is really “worshipping the Father in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23).

= Pointers for Reflection =
1. Why are people averse to fun and play?
2. Why are fun and play important?
3. Share some inspiring incidents or models of fun and play.
4. Suggest practical steps to promote fun and play in your group.