One of the most controversial discussions that can ever take place involves the question of what is true and false religion. Whilst people often use the argument that religion is the cause of most of the wars throughout history, it is actually man’s interpretation of that religion that is usually at fault. In the epistle of James the writer goes some way towards providing some sort of guidance on this question.
He wrote (James 1:22-27), ‘Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.’ In the gospel reading that we heard (Luke 18:9-14) Jesus then warns of the perils of being self righteous in our worship. The message is very much centred around doing rather than just talking, and being rather than pretending to be.
Some of you may have heard of the story of Babette’s Feast. It was set in a poor small fishing village in Denmark. In a very grim setting the film which was made back in the 1980’s opens with a white bearded Dean leading a group of worshippers from an austere Lutheran sect. what few worldly pleasures there were in the town, this sect denounced. All of them wore black, ate bland diets and when they met together for worship they sang about, ‘Jerusalem my happy home, name ever dear to me.’ They pinned their hope and their faith completely on eternal life with life on this earth something just to be tolerated as a way of getting there.
The Dean though had 2 beautiful daughters – some people attended the Church just to see them, just as I’m sure some of you are drawn by my good looks !! But anyway, one of the daughters had a wonderful singing voice and one day she met a French opera singer in the village. As he heard her voice he realised that her voice should be gracing the stage of the Grand Opera in Paris. He begged to be allowed to teach her to sing properly, promising great wealth and fame, and the chance to dine regularly at the magnificent Café Anglais.
The girl was flattered and agreed to a few lessons, however singing about love made her nervous, and when an aria left the two singers in an embrace, she knew she could no longer continue the lessons. The opera singer returned to Paris heartbroken.
Another 15 years passed in the village. The Dean died, but the 2 sisters continued his work. However by this time the congregation had dwindled and there were splits among those who were left. One brother held a grudge against another over a business deal, there was a rumour of a 30 year affair between 2 members, and a pair of old ladies had not spoken to each other for a decade.
One night the sisters heard a loud knock at the door, and when they opened it a woman collapsed inside. When she eventually got up they realised she could speak no Danish, but she handed them a letter from the French opera singer. The woman’s name was Babette, and she had lost her husband and son in the French Civil War. Her own life was in danger and the singer had sorted out a safe passage for her to this village. Part of the letter read, ‘Babette can cook.’
The sisters were unsure about taking on a maid, but Babette begged for a chance, offering to do any work they wanted. eventually they agreed, and for the next 12 years, Babette did household chores, helped among the poor in the area, and even helped in some of the Church services.
After 12 years Babette received a letter announcing that a friend had continued to renew her lottery ticket and she had won 10,000 francs. The sisters congratulated her, but were disappointed knowing that Babette would soon leave.
As it happened the win occurred at the same time as the sisters were planning a party for the 100th anniversary of their fathers’ birth. Babette made a request that she be allowed to cook a meal for the anniversary service.
The sisters had grave misgivings being a little bit worried about French food ! In 12 years they had told her exactly what to prepare and never trusted her cooking completely. When the money arrived Babette began to make preparations –over the next few weeks villagers were amazed as boats arrived unloading supplies for the meal. Even cases of champagne were unloaded. The 2 sisters now were even more worried – tongues were meant for praise and thanksgiving and not for indulging in exotic tastes!
Again they remained silent and went ahead with the meal. On the day of the meal it snowed but inside the tables were decorated with candles, and new china and crystal had been bought. As the banquet began people ate and gradually the meal had a wonderful effect. People spoke of happy memories of the old Dean. The brothers who had not spoken after the business deal apologised and made up – the 2 women who hadn’t spoken hugged each other – a woman burped, and the man sitting next to her shouted, ‘Hallelujah!’
The feat ended with 2 scenes – outside in the snow the small congregation joined hands around the fountain and sang again with power some of the old hymns – there was a revival of joy and friendship, even of love. The other scene was inside the kitchen with the dishes piled high with plates and empty bottles.
The sisters commented that it had been quite a nice meal, and that they would miss Babette when she returned to France. Babette told them she had been the head chef at the Café Anglais, but also told them she would not be retuning to Paris. All of her friends and relatives had gone, and anyway it would be too expensive. ‘But what about the 10,000 francs’ asked the sisters. The Babette told them that she had spent it all on this banquet.
This wasn’t just the story of a fine meal – it is a story of grace. A gift that costs everything for the giver and nothing for the recipient. It is a story about doing rather than talking, and about accepting even when we have not earned. In his life Jesus was a doer not a talker, and as his body on earth today we are asked to reflect his life.
The reality of that life is that he involved himself in practical action, in the community, in politics and in the daily lives of people. He cared for the suffering, for the poor, the oppressed. He preached constantly through his words and actions – and our calling must follow his pattern.
Babette had arrived amongst a group of people who heard sermons about grace every week, and during their lives the people tried to earn God’s grace through their piety, but their talk and their worship actually meant very little. Real grace came to them in this feast – a meal of a lifetime lavished on people who had done little to earn it, and who barely appreciated it. We have done nothing to earn Jesus’ love, and we often fail to appreciate it… Grace came to this village free of charge and with no strings attached – and it comes to us in the same way.
And so we are challenged – are we just the talkers representing a meaningless and ineffective Church organisation or are we prepared to make a real difference in the community and in the world around us ?
‘Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.’ AMEN
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