“Throughout the world sounds one long cry from the heart of the artist, ‘Give me the chance to do my very best.’” ~ From the movie, Babette’s Feast

In recent years, few films have really held my attention. Fewer still have left a lasting imprint. Those that do, ignite my heart with renewed passion for the arts while stirring my sensibilities.

One such story - a Danish film from 1987 - does this. It’s quaint, artistic, endearing. Without a doubt, it’s laced with rich spiritual symbolism - things I didn’t always catch the first time. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but the beauty of Babette’s Feast is how each of us can come away with an entirely different take. You’ll have to admit, it’s eye-opening, even heartrending, but finally elevating. I love a movie that makes us think, explore, and appreciate.

Go here to read Wikipedia’s synopsis.

I see overlapping threads in the movie - of the human condition, of course, but also mercy in spite of our choices, longing for excellence vs. the status quo, sacrificial living yet legalism, acetism/aesthetics, and looking so much to the future that we miss the present. Mostly, I see g-r-a-c-e. At times my face ached with joy. When Babette spends her entire lottery fortune to create a culinary masterpiece for these staunch, rural believers - folks who consider anything but drab boiled fish a waste - a thought struck me. God’s grace is lavish. He reaches out to us continuously to provide for us when we least deserve or recognize it. How often, then, have we merely tolerated our earthly existence while counting on Heaven, when Christ longs to be life to us, here and now?

The movie’s powerful quotes speak to the human soul, such as the General’s speech during the sumptuous meal:

“We have all of us been told that grace is to be found in the universe. But in our human foolishness and shortsightedness we imagine divine grace to be finite … But the moment comes when our eyes are opened, and we see and realize that grace is infinite. Grace, my friends, demands nothing from us but that we shall await it with confidence and acknowledge it in gratitude.”

His revelation falls on deaf ears; at least they don’t understand. They eat, repressing any compliment of the meal they’re served, considering it all excess. They determined ahead of time to speak only of the old dean’s sermons whose memory they celebrate. Strange, isn’t it?

But restraint gives way to grace because it’s irresistable. Something curious begins. While Babette gives of herself utterly and freely, pouring out her gifts and talents, she expects nothing in return. And our hearts swell to witness such a gentle reawakening of everything good. ♥

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17

Have you seen Babette’s Feast? What other parallels did you find?