Healing Humanity and Other Recipes Anonymous 12th Grade

Pope Francis said, “He -Jesus- does not stand a safe distance and does not act by delegating, but places himself in direct contact with out contagion”. In this quote, Pope Francis notes how Jesus selflessly gets directly involved in the earthly turmoil. Many literary figures exemplify this, for instance, Babette from Babette’s Feast by Karen Blixen. In this story, Babette demonstrates a selfless act of healing by sacrificing all of her money, ten thousand franc’s, to cook a dinner for the community. However, she provides more than just a meal; she returns harmony to the community. The town of Berlevaag has felt “discord and dissension had been raising their heads” since the death of their Dean. Members of this religious sect remember and focus on only the wrongdoings of others. Babette unites the community through her dinner in many ways.

First, the idea of a French dinner brings the townspeople together in a panic. Second, the dinner itself provided an opportunity for conversation and forgiveness for a town that has become “somewhat querulous and quarrelsome”. As the night goes on, those in attendance realize that this is a night that they will never forget. Therefore, Babette’s dinner healed the community by uniting them in...