Babette's Feast

Babette's Feast, 1984 film

This past Sunday I had the privilege of leading the discussion in Forum.  I chose "Babette's Feast" the story and 1984 Academy Award winning foreign film as the centerpiece for our discussion.

While it's not overtly religious, this story is dripping with meaning.  Pope Francis loves it because of its profound depiction of grace and mercy.

Modern day "Babette's Feast"

In the film, set in the 1800s, Babette, who had once been a great chef in France but is now a long time servant in a small Danish village, discovers she's won the French lottery.  Before leaving the village she prepares a feast for these people for whom she's already served for many years.  They don't deserve it or even want it but she prepares it anyway.

And what a feast it is.  For several decades, around the world, serious foodies have tried to duplicate Babette's Feast.  Do you think you could prepare a meal, an experience, that would significantly change a person's life?  Has this ever happened to you?

In the end, Babette is unable to leave the village because she has spent her entire fortune on the feast. What's up with that?  More food for thought.


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