Thought for the Day

The cure for anything is salt water — sweat, tears, or the sea.

 

--Karen Blixen

Come Join the Feast-Reflection for the Day

While being "less than mobile" during this past month I have been using my Netflix account to catch up on the films I always wanted to view.  Some selections were welcomed repeats from my college days (I mean, seriously, when is a working mom ever going to carve out 4 hours to watch Jean de Florette/Manon de Source in its entirety?).  Others were BBC recommendations (such as the Mayor of Castorbridge which stars one of my favorite brit actors--Cieran Hinds).  However, the biggest surprise was "Babette's Feast" which was a slow, quiet presentation of the lives of two devout sisters.  The film, which is an adaptation of an Isak Dinesan (Karen Blixen) story has given me pause and I want to try and share the thoughts and feelings it has inspired.

 

The two devout sisters live and serve their neighbors in their small Jutland village.  As they worship together they consistently sing a hymn with the words....

 

Jerusalem, my heart's true home
Your name is forever dear to me.
Your kindness is second to none
You keep us clothed and fed
Never would you give a stone
To the child who begs for bread

 

 

Never would you give a stone
To the child who begs for bread

 

 

To me, this theme is the core message of the film.  Even though both sisters choose to stay and serve in their small community (instead of pursuing worldly honors with the opportunities that are presented to them when they are younger), they end up receiving everything that matters most (the bread of life) and receive a feast worthy of nobility. 

 

And, all those who partake in the feast (which is a symbol of the Eucharist) are changed by the experience. 

 

So, even though we are serving our little circle of family, friends, and associates and the majority of our efforts are unnoticed or unknown, it will all be for good as is stated at the end of the film:

 

Babette:  Throughout the world sounds one long cry from the heart of the artist:

Give me the chance to do my very best.

Philippa: But that is not the end, Babette, I'm certain of that. In Paradise, you will be the great artist that God meant you to be. Ah, how you will delight the angels!.

 

That we may all have the chance to do our very best.