Socialize
Every week I look forward to receiving a newsletter and podcast from Krista Tippett’s Being (previously Speaking of Faith). This past week, May 14, 2009 is the culmination of an online project Repossessing Virtue where a broad spectrum of people share their experience of how the current economic downturn has confronted us with what matters in life, what sustains us, what nurtures us. One of the sponsors, the Fetzer Institute, has a Campaign for Love and Forgiveness.
This past Tuesday, May 19, 2009, my wife, Lynne, brought us all together for a big Bonetti family gathering at our home to commemorate the life of my now deceased father T R Bonetti, who was born 100 years ago. The gathering reminded me of the wonderful 1987 Danish movie Babette’s Feast in the giving of a sumptuous feast that brings people together in love.
In the movie, the colorfully attired General rose and gave a speech: “There comes a time when we realize mercy is infinite and we must receive it with gratitude. Mercy imposes no conditions … mercy and truth meet together – righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another.”
The newly redeemed and loving group gathered together and tenderly sang:
“Oh, watch the day once again hurry off,
and the sun bathes itself in water.
The time for us to rest approaches,
O God, who dwells in heavenly light.
Who reigns above in heaven’s hall,
Be for us our infinite light in the valley of night.
The sand in our hour glass will soon run out,
The day is conquered by the night.
The glories of the world are ending,
so brief their day, so swift their flight.
God let the brightness ever shine,
Admit us to thy mercy divine.”
And then clasping hands outside they sing with happy hearts:
“The clock strikes and time goes by – eternity’s nigh.
Let us use this time to try to serve the Lord with heart and mind,
so that our true home we shall find.”
After Babette gave all she had in gratitude and love, she quotes Achille Papin: “Throughout the world sounds the long cry from the heart of the artist – give me the chance to do my best.”
One of the two sisters declares to Babette: “It has not ended yet – In paradise you will be the great artist God meant you to be. Ah, how you will delight the angels!”