Good Friday: Babette’s Feast.
Hebrews 10: 11 – 18; John 19: 13 – 29
Today we remember the death of Jesus by crucifixion. Crucifixion was the cruel method of executing the enemies of Rome. Religious leaders conspired with the Roman governor to eliminate Jesus. It was a travesty of justice. It was a lie against truth. It was hatred against love. Jesus died but never compromised his commitment to truth and love. Jesus was one with God the Father and he came to destroy the lie, the hatred and injustice with love and truth so we could be free. The crucifixion is the climax of Jesus’ earthly life. His uncompromising sacrificial death paved the way for us to be free from the lie, the hatred and injustice. That is the gift Jesus gives to us. The Resurrection of Jesus witnesses to the fact that Christ Jesus destroys the power of evil through truth and love.
I want to offer you a story that may help you understand what this gift is really about.
I want to offer you the story of Babette’s Feast.
Babette’s Feast is a short story written by Karen Blixon. She also wrote Out of Africa. Babette’s Feast became a cult movie in the 80s. It is worth seeing.
Babette’s Feast is set in on the desolate coast of Denmark. Martina and Philippa are the daughters of a devout clergyman who preaches salvation through self-denial. Both daughters sacrifice youthful passion to faith and duty to their widowed father. And they continue many years after his death to hold this small dwindling community of followers. Martina and Philippa live simple lives caring for the needy in the tiny village and leading the dwindling community of faith. In their youth they had both denied their own passion and self-interest. Martina had been courted by a dashing lieutenant in the army, who was the nephew of wealthy member of the faith community. But Martina chose to stay and with her sister to her care for their aging father.
Philippa possessed an extraordinary beautiful voice. A famous operatic singer, Achile Papin, on vacation had heard her singing. He persuaded her to receive some singing lessons. He said that she with little training would be famous, receive attention and be dined at the magnificent Café Anglais in Paris. Flattered Philippa conceded but resisted the temptation of being an opera singer and the affections of Achile. Achile dejected left the village devastated.
Fifteen years had passed. The community of faith had become entrenched in their ways and the fellowship was fragile. Then one rainy evening a knock on the door and a woman cold and exhausted entered the lives of Martina and Philippa. The woman gave them a letter of introduction. It was from Achile Papin the French opera singer. He said, the woman was Babette and she could cook.
The sisters could not engage Babette, but in exchange for a home and food, Babette stays and looks after the sisters. To Babette’s horror she is taught to cook boiled cod and gruel. She does so gracefully. Babette does not talk much about her former life. Babette’s only link with France is that a friend takes out a lottery ticket for her each year.
Twelve years go by. Babette receives a letter informing her that she has won the French lottery – 10K Francs. The sisters recognize that Babette will now soon leave them. This coincides with the sisters discussing a celebration for their late father’s 100th anniversary since his birth.
Babette approaches the sisters. She says; in the past 12 years I have asked no favours of you. I ask one now. Will you let me prepare a meal for the anniversary service? It is true Babette has not asked of them anything. The sisters cannot refuse. They concede with a little apprehension.
Their fears increase when the provisions, Babette has ordered, arrive. The sisters are amazed by the arrival of crates of small quails, cases of champagne and wine, a head of a cow, fresh vegetables, truffles, pheasants, ham, strange sea creatures and a live turtle.
The sisters are concerned. Their father had warned against earthly pleasures. They tell their community of faith they cannot be ungracious. They cannot refuse the meal. But they resolve to eat without comment or compliment to Babette.
The feast day comes, December 15. The 11 members arrive and Mrs Loewenhielm accompanied by her nephew the cavalry officer, who had courted Martina. He is now a decorated general. They take their seats. Babette has transformed the dining room. The guests sit mute keeping to their pledge to not enjoy these earthly pleasures. Only their eyes give away their delight in the meal, and the general alone praises the fine wine and food. Increasingly acknowledging that the meal compares more than favourably with the finest meals in France and as good as the Café Anglais. The General tells them that the head chef of the Café Anglais was a woman who devised exotic dishes just like these.
As the meal progresses the community of faith begin to unwind. As they enjoy the earthly pleasures they speak openly and warmly to each other. They recall the past. The feuding brothers confess and the estranged women are reconciled.
The general unable to contain himself stands and makes a speech in which he says;
Mercy and truth, my friends, have met together in this meal.
The story of Babette’s feast ends with two scenes. The members go out into the snow and gather together joining hands and singing lustily the old hymns of faith. There is a sense of harmony and reconciliation amongst them. Karen Blixon, the author, describes the scene saying; as if they had indeed had their sins washed white as wool, and in this regained innocent attire gambol like little lambs.
The other and final scene takes place in the wreck of the kitchen piled high with unwashed dishes and greasy pots. Babette sits in the middle wasted and exhausted, like she looked on the first night she arrived. The sisters, Martina and Philippa, realise that in accordance with the vow no one had spoken to her. Martina speaks tentatively,
It was quite a nice dinner, Babette.
Babette with a far away look in her eyes says; I once cooked at the Café Anglais.
Martina adds; We will all remember this evening when you have gone back to Paris, Babette.
Then Babette tells them that she will not be going back to Paris. All her friends and relatives there have been killed or imprisoned. And, of course, it would be expensive to return to Paris.
But what about the ten thousand francs? The sisters ask. Then Babette drops the bombshell. She says she has spent it all on the meal. Don’t be shocked, she tells them. That is what a proper dinner for twelve costs at the Café Anglais.
Karen Blixon wrote a profound short story that brilliantly illustrates what God’s gift in Christ is:
a gift that costs everything for the giver and nothing for the recipient.
The giver only has the joy of giving.
It is a truly gracious gift when a meal is lavishly given to those who in no way have earned it, and who barely possess the faculties to appreciate it. Grace came to the community as it always comes; free of charge, no strings attached. Gracious gifts lead to grace as the village folk experienced: the liberation of spirit.
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Peter C Whitaker, Leighmoor UC: 30/03/2018
/ www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org